Study points to steady rise in UK’s vacancies

Job vacancies have kept rising as the economy reopens from the pandemic lockdown, according to a report.

Around 140,000 jobs were advertised in the week to April 11, for a total of 1.37 million, said the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

This was on top of 181,000 in the previous week, which was the highest weekly figure since the pandemic began, said the recruiters.

The three best weeks for new job adverts were since the start of March.

Neil Carberry, chief executive of the REC, said: “The busy barbers and pub gardens this week are a sign that large sections of our economy are getting going again and this growing confidence is reflected in hiring activity.

“An increase in demand for hospitality roles as restaurants and pubs prepared to partially reopen their premises this week is particularly welcome news.

“With the vaccine rollout on schedule, businesses are increasingly confident this positive trend will continue.

“However, not every sector or region of the country will recover at the same rate. Many people will need help finding a job or transitioning into a new industry.”

Mr Carberry said data from Northern Ireland was “particularly concerning”, adding that businesses will be looking to politicians from all sides for clarity and stability in post-Brexit arrangements, so they can invest.