UK jobs market cools as Iran war hits outlook, REC survey shows

Britain's jobs market cooled in April as recruiters grew cautious amid heightened uncertainty from the Iran war, according to KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. Permanent placements fell to 47.5 from 49.2 in March — the fastest decline since January — while temporary hiring rose to 50.4 from 48.4 as firms opted for short‑term staff. Vacancies fell for a 30th consecutive month, albeit at the slowest pace in 11 months. A separate BDO survey showed an employment index at a 15‑year low. The softer labour picture and geopolitical cost pressures are a negative near‑term signal for UK economic momentum and could weigh on the UK 100 index.