Boost for graduate jobs market - graduate jobs

There is some good news for graduates looking for jobs as research revealed employer demand in the leisure, tourism and accountancy industries has offset a slump in the public sector.

The jobs market remained steady in August, although average wages for new posts fell by around £200 to £31,700, according to recruitment firm Reed.

Demand for new staff in accountancy, customer services, strategy and consultancy rose to the highest levels since the Reed job index began last year. The number of new jobs on offer in the leisure and tourism industries also reached a record high.

Martin Warnes, managing director of reed.co.uk, said: "Traditionally, the UK job market is quiet in August. Against this background the fact that the Reed job index has held steady over the holiday season, even though public sector jobs continue to decline, is quietly encouraging news for the economy as a whole.

"While the seasonal tourist boom and an unexpected rise in consumer confidence may have helped fuel record demand for new staff in leisure, tourism and retail, demand has also risen across broader commercial and financial sectors."

The index also showed demand varying across the UK, with the number of new posts falling in London but increasing to higher than ever levels in Scotland and Northern Ireland.