First annual rise in advertised salaries since recession

Manufacturing saw the most growth, with the number of jobs in the sector advertised doubling year on year to 15,912. Average salaries in manufacturing rose by 15.6pc over the year to £29,507.

Competition for jobs also fell to a record low, with an average of 1.14 applicants per vacancy, down 29.5pc on a year ago.

On a regional basis, all areas of Britain except London saw the average salary of positions advertised rise, with increases ranging from 2pc in Scotland to an average of £32,589 at the bottom end of the scale, to Wales at the top, which saw an 18.7pc annual increase to £29,886.

In London salaries declined 1pc to an average of £41,564.

Mr Hunter added: “London’s labour market flexibility is one of its real strengths. The capital has become a hub for both graduates and start-up firms, which goes some way towards explaining the slow yearly salary growth. An uptick in lower paid hospitality and customer services roles has also dragged down the capital’s average wage.

“All the while, London’s wide array of social and cultural attractions continues to attract jobseekers to the capital – and employers haven’t had to fight so hard to attract the best staff. But this may change as more new opportunities open up further afield.”

He warned employers in the capital that they could need to “up their game and wages” to continue to attract the staff they need.

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