UK Job Vacancies Fall on Brexit Worries, Higher Minimum Wage

Job vacancies in Britain slumped in April as uncertainty around the country’s European Union membership referendum and the introduction of a higher minimum wage made employers more reluctant to hire, a jobs website said.

Job openings dropped by 9 percent in April from March and were down a hefty 27 percent versus a year ago, the survey by job site Indeed showed on Tuesday, a day before the release of official jobs market figures.

The monthly release said the slump in recruitment began in March and accelerated in April when the government introduced a new and compulsory higher minimum wage of 7.20 pounds an hour, up from 6.70 pounds for workers aged 25 or above.

Reuters

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