Group 1 - The wage growth for new employees in the UK has dropped to its lowest level in over four years, indicating a weakening labor market that is alleviating inflationary pressures [1] - The survey conducted by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG shows that the growth rate of starting salaries fell to its lowest since March 2021, coinciding with the pandemic restrictions [1] - There is a significant increase in the number of job seekers, while demand for labor continues to decline, reflecting a complex business environment and mixed feedback on corporate confidence [1] Group 2 - The REC survey indicates that the growth rate of candidates has reached its fastest pace since 2020 due to layoffs and hiring freezes, with many employees seeking new jobs out of job security concerns [2] - The number of job vacancies has decreased significantly, with the largest drop in retail and hospitality sectors, while only the construction industry saw an increase in demand for full-time employees [2] - Despite a slowdown in the decline of full-time job availability, the overall situation remains bleak, with all eyes on the upcoming autumn budget to avoid further impacts on the labor market [2]