UK Recruiters Report Sharpest Rise in Jobseekers Since Covid

The pool of candidates looking for a job in Britain grew the most since the pandemic, one of the clearest signs yet that the labor market is cooling amid cost pressures for firms at home and a worrying global outlook.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation said Friday its gauge of staff availability rose in March at a pace last seen in December 2020. The increase was driven by a mix of layoffs and fewer job postings.

The survey findings — closely watched by the Bank of England — reflect belt-tightening in preparation for the increases in payroll taxes and the ...