The rise in the UK’s National Living Wage could ease recruiting in some sectors, but cautioned that workers also seek flexibility, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation said in commentary.

“This rise rightly takes into account both cost of living increases and the slow path of pay growth over the last decade or so,” Kate Shoesmith, REC deputy chief executive, said in a press release. “It will be a challenge for some employers to adapt but it should help make working in some sectors that are experiencing labour shortages, such as hospitality, care and retail, more attractive at a time when our data shows more than 2 million job postings in the UK.”

Shoesmith continued, “but pay is not the only thing workers require — flexible work that allows someone to manage their other life commitments is often top of the list for job seekers. The NLW increase today should also serve as a reminder to employers to think about how they can offer a rounded package if they want to attract and retain talent in this market.”

The UK announced the increase in the National Living Wage on 21 November, boosting it to £11.44 per hour from £10.42 per hour.