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Data relates to the number of unfilled vacancies held by Jobcentre Plus on the count date in the month requested (i.e. a snapshot on a single date).

The vacancy count date is usually the first Friday in the month, unless the 1st of the month is a Friday in which case the count date would usually be the second Friday (i.e. the 8th).

Interpretation of these data needs to take account of changes in recent years to Jobcentre Plus procedures for taking and handling vacancies. The figures are not fully comparable over time and may not indicate developments in the labour market.

In particular, from May 2006 Jobcentre Plus introduced changes to its vacancy handling procedures. These have implications for the vacancy statistics. Prior to May 2006, vacancies notified to Jobcentre Plus were followed up with the employer to ascertain whether (a) they should remain available to jobseekers, or (b) whether they should be closed or had been filled by clients referred by Jobcentre Plus. Vacancies filled were monitored as one strand of Jobcentre Plus performance. From May 2006 Jobcentre Plus performance is being assessed differently and there is consequently no longer an operational need to follow up vacancies . Vacancies notified to Jobcentre Plus now have a closure date agreed with the employer. Vacancies are automatically withdrawn on the closure date unless the employer advises that a later closure date is required.

The Jobcentre Plus vacancies series do not provide comprehensive measures relating to all vacancies in the economy. The proportion of vacancies which are notified by employers varies over time, according to the occupation and industry of the vacancies and also by geographical area.

In the case of unfilled vacancies, use of the figures on live vacancies is recommended (ie excluding suspended vacancies), and this is the default option. Live vacancies may still include some vacancies which have already been filled or are otherwise no longer open to recruits, due to natural lags in procedures for following up vacancies with employers.

The main use of these figures is for cross-sectional analysis of vacancies as an indication of the types of jobs currently available, rather than absolute measures of the number of vacancies or of changes in these over time.

For further information, refer to the following article:
Publication of Jobcentre Plus vacancy statistics