VACANCIES for jobs in travel, teaching and construction increased in recent weeks — but sectors including healthcare, nursing, hospitality and logistics posted fewer posts, research has shown.

Jobs site Adzuna’s study found the total number of job vacancies across the country fell last month for the first time in four months.

Andrew Hunter of Adzuna, said: “July’s numbers are a step backwards, not a blip … jobseekers per vacancy are now higher than they were a year ago.

“The graduate job market also keeps setting new lows, which tells us employers still haven’t found a reason to open up hiring at that level.”

A government spokesperson said: “The latest figures show there are 253,000 more people in work than this time last year with unemployment continuing to fall.

“We are determined to go further to restore opportunity for young people through our £2.5 billion youth employment package which will deliver almost one million opportunities to earn or learn.”