Fears as jobs vacancies fall

JOB vacancies are at their lowest in nearly four years - suggesting demand for workers is weakening as employment costs grow.

- GRAHAM HISCOTT

Openings fell to 781,000 in the first three months of the year, said the Office for National Statistics (ONS) while the number in work declined too. Average pay continued to rise - up 5.9% - but rises in employer National Insurance contributions as well as hikes in the National Minimum Wage have hit recruitment.