The number of jobs posted or refreshed on the Totaljobs Barometer has risen for a second consecutive month.

The barometer also showed that each job received nine applications, down from 10 in June to September.

Job postings rose in 26 of the barometer’s 33 industry sectors. Healthcare and nursing jobs were up 20% to 21,000, while applications dropped in 16 sectors.

Regionally, Scotland and the North-East recorded the biggest rise in jobs, while East Anglia, the South West and Northern Ireland witnessed a drop in job postings.