UK Job Vacancies Fall as Nervous Firms Delay Permanent Hires

The number of job vacancies in the UK dropped further below a million, to its lowest level in more than two years, amid broader signs that companies are reluctant to hire full-time staff while the economic outlook remains uncertain.

The Office for National Statistics said Tuesday that vacancies fell 43,000 to 988,000 from July to September, the 15th consecutive period in which the number has declined. It reached a peak of 1.3 million in March to May last year when companies were struggling to fill roles due to shortages of workers.