The number of jobs posted in Q1 fell by 25% on the same period last year, while jobs applications have also risen 31% for the same period, resulting in a level of ‘hidden unemployment’, according to the latest totaljobs.com barometer.

Compared to the Q4 last year, Q1 saw improvements in property (+30%), electronics (+27%), secretarial/admin/PA (+25%), customer services (+22%) and sales (+19%) respectively, while the public sector, in particular health and nursing as well as social services, have suffered significant decreases in jobs posted compared to Q4 in 2009 (42% and 17% respectively).

John Salt, director at totaljobs.com, says: “This quarter presents a tale of two stories. We are beginning to see certain sectors planning for increased consumer spending as we come out of the recession, such as sales and customer services.

“With the current political debate on public sector spending cuts, the long-term issue of a talent exodus out of the public sector is real. Not only do these workers provide the frontline services upon which we all depend but the strength of the public sector has contributed to an era of growth for the UK in recent years, levelling out other sectors that have faltered.”