Job vacancies in the UK have hit a record high, according to recent official figures.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that vacancies rose to 1.1 million between July and September - the highest level since records began in 2001, as reported by the BBC.

The largest increase in vacancies were in retail and motor vehicle repair.

The latest ONS figures show that all industries have at least as many jobs on offer now as they did before Covid-19.

While it sounds like good news for jobseekers, the high vacancy rate suggests employers are struggling to find skilled staff.

The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) said between a quarter and a third of labour shortages were explained by lower migration. In addition, the labour market has been hit by fewer older people in work and more young people in education.

The UK unemployment rate was estimated at 4.5 per cent, compared with four per cent before the pandemic.

The number of employees on payrolls showed another monthly rise, going up by 207,000 to a record 29.2 million in September.

Punchline said: "Whether you're a jobseeker or an employer, we will always try to support recruitment with our daily job ads for Gloucestershire businesses and organisations. We cover the full range of sectors and all levels of job - from apprenticeship and entry-level posts through to director level."