However, Bettrell added the labour market as a whole looked in general good health.
“Notwithstanding relatively weak wage growth, the UK labour market looks fairly robust – for now at least.
“Unemployment is expected to rise later this year as Brexit-related uncertainty deters firms from hiring more workers, but at least any rise will be from historically low levels,” he said.
A surprise increase in the claimant count of 25,500 for March was the largest increase since July 2011 and could be a sign of tougher time ahead.
Bettrell added: “The claimant count figure is often viewed as an early warning signal of a potential economic downturn, so this surprise increase could be a sign that labour market conditions are about to become tougher.”
