September saw a further slowdown in the UK jobs market with permanent staff placements rising at their weakest rate for a year, according to the latest Report on Jobs from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG. Temp billings growth came in at an 11-month low, while there was a slower decline in permanent staff availability and an increase in temp availability. Permanent staff salary growth slumped to a 10-month low and temp pay dropped slightly for first time in nine months. Kevin Green, REC chief executive, says: “While there is marginal growth, these figures are the worst we have seen for a year. The government must do everything possible to avert the threat of increasing unemployment.”