The number of candidates for jobs has increased, amid a reduction in firms hiring staff.

A survey of 400 recruiters found a “marked drop” in demand for staff last month and reports of redundancies which drove the increase in candidate numbers for permanent and temporary positions.

The shift in demand and supply for workers placed downward pressure on pay, with both permanent salaries and temp pay rates up only marginally, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

Neil Carberry, REC chief executive, said: “Recruiters have been reporting a trend towards stabilisation in the permanent job market since the summer, and today’s data back that up for September.

“The temporary market remains somewhat healthier, with growth in some regions.

“Pay trends remain subdued whe

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