An increasing number of employers are preparing to let staff go, according to the CIPD.

In September the CIPD reported a 28% monthly increase in calls about redundancy to its legal helpline. Last month 303 calls were about redundancy compared with 236 in August and more than double the 142 calls received in September last year about redundancies.

John Philpott, CIPD chief economist, said: "A sombre September awash with bad economic news has caused more employers to take steps toward cutting staff levels.

"A significant decline in the demand for labour this winter now seems clear, which strengthens the case for the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee not only to cut interest rates at the end of its monthly meeting - but to cut big."

This news comes only days after manufacturing firm Dairy Crest announced it was considering redundancies and amid press speculation that Aer Lingus and Ebay are also about to shed jobs.