UK business are struggling with a lack of skilled candidates to fill vacancies even before Brexit hits according to a Recruitment and Employment Confederation report. The job market is experiencing the sharpest decline in available candidates, while the number of vacancies increases.

A shortage of relevant skills and experience across a range of roles is already affecting employers prior to the restrictions on the EU working force in the UK taking place.

“Demand for staff is growing within all sectors and all regions of the UK, but there are fewer and fewer people available to fill the vacancies,” Kevin Green, The REC chief executive, said for the Guardian.

The UK’s decision to leave the EU was strongly influenced by EU nationals allegedly taking up jobs due to their freedom of movement and work rights. The reality of the job market now, however, seems to reflect a wide availability of vacancies with no available candidates to fill them.

British workers, businesses report, are not prone to undertaking certain jobs. What Brexit can lead to is a dangerous shortage of candidates to enter certain sectors, as UK nationals are not expected to compensate. Workforce from the EU is key for businesses such as construction, hotels and leisure and maintenance and the impact of restrictions on their working rights can be badly felt.

Infographic: Asya Gadzheva

Data from The Recruitment and Employment Confederation report reveals a growing threat of declining numbers of qualified candidates in comparison to a growing demand for employees, which might be enhanced with Brexit.