Employer demand for new workers was maintained in August, according to the latest Reed Job Index.

The index, which tracks the number of new job opportunities and salaries compared to the previous month and against a baseline of 100 set in December last year from reed.co.uk, gave a reading of 102, unchanged from last month.

The Reed Salary Index reading of 95 for the fourth consecutive month, with an average national salary of £31,728 for new jobs in August, compared to £31,919 in July.

Martin Warnes, managing director of reed.co.uk, says: “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.”