UK job opportunities rose by 16% in February on the previous month, according to the latest Reed Job Index.

The index rose 18 points month-on-month to 131 and employer demand rose 27 points, up 26%.

High performance sectors included engineering, HR, IT & telecoms, leisure and tourism, marketing & PR, media, digital & creative, strategy & consultancy, and transport & logistics.

Martin Warnes, managing director of reed.co.uk, says: “UK employers are still in job-creation mode, with 26% more new jobs on offer now compared to a year ago.

Employers right across the private sector are showing their confidence by recruiting new staff, at a time when high competition for new jobs is still keeping a cap on salaries.”