US job cuts hit highest level since 2009 according to new study

61,582 people lost their jobs between 1 and 30 April - a worrying sign of a slowdown in the pace of the jobs market's recovery

Job cuts are at their highest level since 2009 according to a new study from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, up 35% in April against figures from March and 5% from the same time the year previous.

Some 61,582 people lost their jobs between 1 April and 30 April, according to employer announcements of staff reductions polled by analysts.