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Job vacancies have continued on a downward trajectory, with the latest April numbers revealing a significant drop. While year-on year totals are down for the fourth consecutive month (January-April), talent shortages for nurses, carers and other medical staff persist.

The data suggests that we have shifted from a lack of candidates to a sharp drop in requirements as business confidence falls amid economic uncertainty.

"Like almost every other region in the UK – there does appear to be signs of a slowdown, the market is still producing new job roles, with a number of sectors driving much of this growth."

Across England and Wales (E&W), the HR jobs market saw its highest demand for talent in May 2022, with over 3,700 new vacancies posted, representing an 8.1% increase compared to the previous month.

“The shortage of engineering staff is continuing to impact businesses across the sector and the rise in vacancies noted for the first quarter of this year alongside a sustained fall in applications is cause for concern."

“With news of layoffs in Big Tech companies, the fall in IT vacancies that we have seen in the first quarter of the year is understandable, though it should be noted that the slight rise in March when the Chancellor’s technology skills focused Budget was announced could be a sign of positivity returning."

The recruitment trends snapshot is based on data supplied by Bullhorn. Year-on-year increases compare March 2022 data with March 2023 data. Month-on-month figures compare March 2023 data with February 2023 data.

The data reveals that vacancies peaked at almost 20,000 in November 2022, which was followed by the biggest drop in December.

The number of job vacancies in the legal sector rose noticeably during the second half of 2022, peaking at almost 6,500 in November.

The recruitment trends snapshot is based on data supplied by Bullhorn. Year-on-year increases compare January 2021 data with January 2022 data.