# Hiring rate declines in October in ‘end to positive news for jobs’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/hiring-rate-declines-in-october-in-end-to-positive-news-for-jobs/
- Published: 2026-11-09T00:01:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T00:49:00+00:00
- Original publisher: City AM (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.cityam.com/hiring-rate-declines-in-october-in-end-to-positive-news-for-jobs/
- Topics: Business, Economy

## Key points

- Hiring activity weakened in October.
- Permanent placements fell at the second-fastest rate this year.
- Official vacancy numbers dropped below 700,000.

## Summary

Hiring activity fell in October, ending several months of more positive jobs news as employers pulled back on recruitment. The slowdown matters because rising borrowing and energy costs are squeezing businesses, while higher interest rates and persistent inflation could put further pressure on hiring.

Permanent placements fell at the second-fastest rate this year, and temporary billings declined for the first time since March. Vacancies also fell, though at their slowest rate in more than two years; separate official figures put vacancies below 700,000 for the first time in over five years. Hiring showed some resilience in London and northern England, with demand for IT and computing, engineering and construction workers.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.