Job vacancies fall as small firms cut back on recruitment

The Office for National Statistics reports job vacancies falling as small firms scale back hiring, citing labour costs. The Guardian's live coverage says firms keep cutting vacancies even as the unemployment rate fell.

Timeline

1. 20 Oct, 06:19 UTCBBC Business reports vacancies falling
2. 20 Oct, 06:42 UTCGuardian covers jobs data in business live
3. 20 Oct, 06:44 UTCReached #1 on TrendHeat

Top sources

• Pound jumps after surprise fall in UK unemployment rate, but vacancies dry up amid ‘jobs drought’ – business liveThe Guardian
• Job vacancies fall as small firms cut back on recruitmentBBC Business