Industry professionals have been left scratching their heads in bemusement after it was claimed that the number of people working as estate agents was in decline.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) claim that in April to June this year there were 50,000 people working as estate agents or auctioneers in Britain, compared to 55,000 in the same period last year.

It said that on top of the 5,000 agents who had supposedly lost their jobs, a further 16,000 people who worked in the industry, but who did not describe themselves as agents, had also left their roles. These would have included roles such as back office staff, signage contractors and receptionists.

However, EYE called into question the validity of the statistics, pointing out to the ONS that although its figures said there were currently 35,000 people employed full-time as estate agents and 7,000 part-time, it put the total at 41,000 rather than 42,000. It said a further 7,000 were self-employed – but put the total at 8,000.

When questioned, a spokesman said the figures were “rounded” so the part-time and full-time figures actually given did not always match up.

An article in the weekend’s Sunday Times said: “Just as they’ve been getting used to their shiny new premises, the great boom in estate-agency jobs seems to be coming to a standstill.”

It went on: “If you see a sad figure in a sharp suit and a garish tie lurking round a job centre, the chances are that he is one of the 21,000 people who, according to the Office for National Statistics, have left the industry in the past 12 months. Of those, 5,000 were agents.”

But Anthony Hesse, managing director of recruitment firm Property Personnel, told EYE yesterday that the picture being presented by the statistics could not be further from the impression he was getting.

He said: “It’s the total opposite. We have been inundated with clients looking for staff. That’s across the board, from junior level right up to the top. Lots of our clients are having to take on new blood.

“In 2009-2010, people were losing their jobs in this industry, but not now. Maybe this is just another example of people wanting to knock estate agents.”

And Joshua Rayner, managing director of recruitment firm Rayner Personnel, said: “The market is inundated with jobs and there aren’t enough good people to go around.

“The most sought-after individuals are those with 18-24 months’ experience who can fee earn from day one and ideally list.”

The argument appears to be backed up by the amount of agents appealing for staff through social media, while Rightmove has reported growth in membership to a new record of 19,590.

The ONS figures claim that following the recession there were as few as 33,000 people employed as agents in 2009. That figure dropped to 28,000 in 2010 but shot up to 41,000 in 2011. It steadily grew up until 2014 but appears to have slipped slightly since last year.

However, the ONS themselves even admitted the stats were open to interpretation.

A spokesman told EYE: “The figures do indicate a 5,000 drop, but this could well be accounted for by sampling variability, so I would be careful about drawing too many conclusions based on just two snapshot periods.”

Property Ombudsman Christopher Hamer said a number of factors needed to be taken into account when dissecting the figures.

He told EYE: “As in any industry, technology will have an impact. Prospective buyers and sellers now use the internet first to see what is available and to check prices.

“The Sunday Times article refers to estate agency staff which could cover both those actually marketing the property who carry out viewings and negotiations, but also back-office staff.

“A reduction in staff looking after sales progression and dealing with any dissatisfaction during that process may impact more on the consumer than a reduction in those tasked with the marketing duties.”

The ONS’ Labour Force statistics from 2001 to this year can be seen here