The Office for National Statistics revealed that the number of job vacancies rose by 290,000 between May and July from the previous three-month period, to 953,000. That's the highest level since records were started in 2001. The increase in vacancies came during a period when most lockdown restrictions were lifted across the U.K. following the rapid rollout of vaccines. The increase in job vacancies was particularly evident in those sectors, such as arts, leisure and food service, that had suffered most during the multiple lockdowns in the U.K. Under the Job Retention Scheme, the government paid 80% of the salaries of those workers unable to work because of lockdown measures.

Source: ABC News August 17, 2021 11:38 UTC