LONDON, Dec 10 Reuters Job vacancies have dried up faster in the United Kingdom than in other similar countries over the past year, recruitment platform Indeed said on Tuesday, adding to signs of a loss of momentum in the British economy in the second half of this year.

Indeed39;s data showed that as of Nov. 29 there were 23 fewer jobs advertised on its platform in Britain compared with a year earlier a sharper decline than the 14 drop shown in official data which covers the August to October period.

Job vacancies were 12 lower than before the COVID19 pandemic.

The balance of power has certainly swung towards employers as the labour market has softened, as evidenced by the fall in job postings, decline in signing bonuses, easing wage growth and rising zero hours contract postings, Indeed economist Jack Kennedy said.

While France did only slightly better with a 22 annual decline, other comparable countries including the United States, Germany, Ireland, Canada and Australia had falls in a range of 5 to 15.

Indeed39;s data shows a steady fall in vacancies through 2024 but businesses39; concerns about hiring have become sharper since finance minister Rachel Reeves announced a 25 billion pound 32 billion rise in employer payroll taxes in her Oct. 30 budget.

Employers will likely continue with caution when it comes to hiring in 2025, Indeed said.

On Monday the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, which represents recruitment agencies, said demand for workers in…