The Monster Employment Index UK fell by eight points in September to reach a level of 159. This is the fourth consecutive decrease and the first time that the Index has shown a year-on-year decline. The Index is now at its lowest level since April 2007. Hiring fell the most in the environment, architecture and urbanism; and HR sectors but significantly fewer offerings were also noted in banking, finance and insurance.

In contrast, there was a moderate increase in public sector, defence and community and legal positions, suggesting government and related hiring is helping offset lessening job demand in the private sector.

The Monster Employment Index Europe is a monthly analysis of millions of online job opportunities culled from a large, representative selection of corporate career sites and job boards across the UK, including Monster.co.uk.

* The Index dropped below year-earlier levels for the first time since inception following a fourth consecutive decline in UK online job availability

* Sharply reduced recruiting was seen in the banking, finance and insurance sector while HR fell to a two-and-a-half year low in the Index

* Moderate rises were noted in the public, defence, community; and legal sectors

* For the second straight month, demand across all occupational groups declined. Craft and related workers were hit hardest

* Northern Ireland saw strong regional growth in online hiring. There was also a moderate rise in the Midlands. Job demand fell in all other regions