​UK job vacancies soared to a record high of 1.24 million between October and December, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The figures, which are the first to exclude the impact of the government’s furlough scheme which ended on 31 September, show that job vacancies were 462,000 higher compared to the three months before the pandemic.

Job vacancies have increased across a number of sectors, including estate agency.

According to Reed.co.uk, a major jobs website, the volume of advertised estate agency vacancies significantly increased in the final quarter of last year, up 49% compared with the same period in 2020.

Conversely applications for estate agency jobs decreased by 50% in the same period, echoing the trend seen in sales and retail sectors, the data shows.

Josh Rayner, CEO of property recruitment agency Rayner Personnel, commented: “These stats and Rayner Personnel’s own experiences underline that talented estate agents are currently like character three-bed semis in a desirable area – they are in demand and priced at a premium.”

“And it’s not just about money. Our own research has found that although it is at the top of a candidate’s priority list, money is now very closely followed by opportunities for career progression, the ability to work remotely and work/life balance. The pandemic has certainly changed what employees are seeking from employers.”