Getting a job became harder with fewer vacancies

The jobs market continued to slow, with 9,000 fewer vacancies in the three months to September, official figures show.

It is the 39th consecutive period where vacancy numbers have dropped.

Having fewer job openings can mean it is harder to find work.

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There was also a surprise increase in the unemployment rate, up to 4.8% from 4.7% a month earlier, primarily driven by younger people, as a record number of people over 65 are in work, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Economists polled by Reuters anticipated no change in the jobless rate.

The ONS, however, has advised caution when interpreting changes in the monthly unemployment rate and job vacancy numbers due to concerns over the reliability of the figures.

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