UK sees 'improved' jobs market.

The number of new job opportunities rose in every region of the UK in February, according to a report by an employment site.

Statistics released by reed.co.uk show that the number of posts it advertised on its website, including some from other recruiters, was up 12%, with the West Midlands, North East England and the East Midlands recording the best figures.

Despite the growth in the number of positions available, the research also discovered a 2.5% fall in average salaries in 2012.

Reed's managing director, Martin Warnes, said he was optimistic for recruitment in the spring due to "robust and continued growth" in the jobs market across many regions and sectors.

But the stronger employment market might be of little comfort to UK families having to cope with lower pay, even though salaries had bounced back a little in the first two months of 2013.

Copyright Press Association 2013