Employers are finding it harder to fill jobs as workers become more reluctant to move jobs and EU nationals fret over future immigration rules, according to a study.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) reported a growing Brexit influence on the jobs market.

It said while demand for permanent and temporary staff continued to grow, its research among 400 recruitment agencies recorded the steepest decline in candidate availability for 16 months in April.

The REC's chief executive, Kevin Green, said: "Demand for staff is growing within all sectors and all regions of the UK, but there are fewer and fewer people available to fill the vacancies.

"We have the lowest unemployment rate since 2005 and people already in work are becoming more hesitant about moving jobs amid Brexit uncertainty.


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"Meanwhile, the weakening pound and lack of clarity about future immigration rules is putting off some EU nationals from taking up roles in the UK.

"As a result, candidate availability is at a 16-month low and recruiters are flagging a shortage of suitable applicants for more than 60 different roles from cleaner to accountant."

He urged politicians to take note of the issue ahead of the General Election, saying it was vital the country's immigration system after Brexit remained agile to meet the demands of the economy.

The REC is not alone in expressing concern, with business groups and major employers also voicing worries about a future talent drain since the referendum.

Mr Green added: "Every shortage has wider implications, for example the exceptional reputation UK engineering enjoys globally is at risk because employers can't find people with the skills they need.

"One thing is for certain, if British business is to thrive then whichever party forms a government after 8 June needs to address the ever-shrinking pool of suitable candidates by investing in skills and career advice for UK jobseekers, as well as safeguarding access to the workers we need from abroad."

The REC said that although growth in permanent starting salaries had nudged four-month lows in April, it remained "sharp overall and stronger than the series average".

Hourly pay rates for short-term staff increased at the sharpest pace in 2017 so far, the report said.