Seasonal factors have caused online recruitment activity to fall by nine points last month, according to January’s Monster Employment Index.

The index fell to 111 in January from 120 in December, with hospitality and tourism registering the biggest decline by 10 points.

However, arts, entertainment, sports and leisure all registered increases in activity.

Julian Acquari, managing director at Monster UK and Ireland, says: “Despite a seasonal fall during January, the long-term annual growth rate of the index continues to improve.

“There was encouraging growth for business support functions such as administration, organization and HR, which point to more confidence in taking on workers to plan for growth.”