Online job availability has dipped for a second month in a row, according to the Monster Employment index.

The index fell by two points in September, while year-on-year hiring was down 33% in September.

Online job demand slumped in the public sector, with losses recorded in education, training, and library; and healthcare and social work. Losses were also recorded in the technology sector in IT, engineering and R&D. By contrast, sales roles increased in the month.

Job demand maintained in London and the Midlands, while the North of England and the South-West recorded the largest declines.

Hugo Sellert, head of economic research at Monster Worldwide, says: “Hiring among UK companies remains worryingly stagnant. As long as the macroeconomic outlook is uncertain, companies will remain reticent to hire workers, which in itself could slow the actual recovery.

“Despite sharp drops in hiring in the public sector and among technology companies in September, there is some cause for optimism in the broader business sector. Recruiting increased in the third quarter for areas such as sales, management and office and administrative support.”