The number of jobs available in London fell by 38% in September when compared to a year ago, according to the latest London Employment Monitor report by recruitment firm Morgan McKinley. At the same time, there was a 35% decrease in professionals seeking jobs.

When compared to August, the number of available jobs decreased by 2% while the number of professionals seeking jobs fell by 19%.

Morgan McKinley said the job figures for September were ‘disappointing’ and a ‘surprise’ given that September is normally one of the highest performing jobs months of the year largely due to changing holiday patterns.

“In Brexit adjusted terms, August was a strong jobs month. What’s disappointing is that it wasn’t the beginning of the seasonal spike, it was the end of it,” Hakan Enver, Managing Director, Morgan McKinley Financial Services, said.

Enver attributed the low figures in part to a change in holiday patterns as well as the political uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

“Fuelled by the World Cup and the hot weather, we saw optimism from job seekers throughout the summer. But the feel good factor has worn off”, said Enver. “Very few people are going to be looking for new jobs if they think they may be having to file expensive visa applications six months down the road.”