Following the latest KPMG and REC UK jobs report, recruiters signalled a continued drop in permanent job hires as heightened uncertainty over the economic outlook affected staff hiring.

Permanent placements fell for the third month in a row, and at the quickest rate since the start of 2021, as companies delayed hiring activity until January in the face of high inflation and budget pressures.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) pointed to a further fall in overall vacancies in the three months to November. Notably, the latest figures highlighted the first year-on-year decline in vacancies (-2.8%) since the first quarter of 2021.