Employer demand for new workers decreased in March, according to data released by recruitment site Reed.co.uk.

Despite unemployment figures continuing to fall the number of new job opportunities declined by 3% in March.

"Overall demand for new staff has dropped, reversing the slow but steady rise in of vacancies that began at the turn of the year. While new jobs are still at a higher level than last year, across the board employers have become more cautious about committing to new recruitment," said Martin Warnes, managing director of Reed.co.uk.