UK job vacancies fall at fastest rate since pandemic as business confidence slumps

Blow to Labour growth hopes as poll finds demand for staff falling at ‘sharp and accelerated pace’, particularly in permanent roles

The number of job vacancies in November fell at the fastest rate since the start of the pandemic, as business confidence slumped to its lowest level in almost two years, according to two new reports.

In a damaging blow to the government efforts to boost growth, the latest monthly report on the job market from accountancy firm KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) found demand for staff declined at a “sharp and accelerated pace” last month, with the steepest fall in vacancies since August 2020.