9th Nov 2026 02:37
(Alliance News) - The rise in permanent job postings in the UK slowed considerably in October, but London saw growth, data published by KPMG and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation showed Monday.
According to the jobs report, published by S&P Global, the permanent placements index worsened to 46.6 points in October from 50.9 points in September.
This fell below the neutral 50-point mark separating growth from contraction, it indicates that the rise in permanent job postings slowed in October.
The index saw its sharpest drop in the South of England, falling to 42.6, from 47.9, while it also fell in the Midlands to 45.0 from 52.1. In the north, the index fell to 50.1, from 53.6, but stayed above the 50.0 point mark.
In London, growth was stronger, with the index rising to 51.1, from 50.4.
Jon Holt, chief executive officer and UK senior partner at KPMG, said: "October saw employers pull back on hiring in the month leading up to the Budget, ending a run of more positive news over recent months. Renewed geopolitical and economic uncertainty weighed on confidence, with further energy price shocks and a global bond sell-off pushing borrowing costs higher.
"Businesses will now be assessing whether the measures announced in the Budget give them enough stability to absorb the external pressures and higher costs they face. But with the Bank of England increasing interest rates and inflation set to continue rising over the coming months, there is a risk the green shoots we had been seeing in the jobs market could stall."
Meanwhile, the temporary billings index fell to 48.9 points in the UK in October from 50.9 in September indicating decline. It worsened everywhere in England except in London, where decline slowed, with the index rising to 46.9 points, from 44.4 .
Vacancies fell at a slower rate in the UK in October, as the index ticked up to 48.7 points in October from 48.5 points in September.
By Harvey Dorset, Alliance News reporter
Comments and questions to [email protected]
Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.