Fewer job opportunities were posted in April than March, according to the latest Reed Job Index.

The index posted a reading that was 3 index points down on March but still 22% up on the same period last year.

Job demand in sectors like Banking and Leisure & Tourism fell back from the previous month’s record highs but job demand continues to grow across both the manufacturing the service sectors, with increases in engineering, customer service, estate agency, human resources, IT and telecoms.

Martin Warnes, managing director of reed.co.uk, says: “The numbers of new job vacancies fell back down in April, perhaps not surprisingly as the Easter and Royal Wedding holidays led to a disjointed period for UK businesses.

“However, the Reed Job Index remains over 20% higher than last year’s level following the steep increase in the first quarter of the year, as reflected in the falling unemployment and rising GDP figures for the same period.”