Jobseeker numbers rise ‘sharply’ in labour market setback Economics The number of jobseekers rose “sharply” in December alongside a slump in demand for new hires, analysis has shown, posing a threat to the future of the UK labour market. Analysis of S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) indicated the jobs market weakened further at the end of last year, undermining hopes of a recovery [...]
Recruiters suffer from sharp slowdown in permanent hiring Economics Recruiters suffered a sharp slowdown in setting up permanent placements for job seekers in 2024, with an industry group suggesting the number of positions had fallen by more than a third compared to 2023. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) said the UK economy’s lacklustre performance in recent years had hit businesses seen as essential [...]
Redundancies and scant vacancies weakens jobs market Economics A fall in the number of vacancies and growth in the jobseekers pool due to more redundancies has led to a further decline in the jobs market, a leading survey has indicated. Official data this week showed a jump in the unemployment rate from 4.8 per cent to five per cent in a set of [...]
Third of employers would hire young people if offered tax credits October 21, 2025 Over a third of employers would hire more young people if they were offered tax credits, fresh research has found, amid reports the government is drawing up a plan to subsidise employment for under 24-year-olds. Research by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) showed some 36 per cent of employers claiming they would offer role [...]
Number of job seekers spike as high taxes continue to hurt UK economy October 10, 2025 The number of job seekers has spiked while a rise in starting salaries was “fractional”, according to analysis of leading survey data, in signs the jobs market is struggling to shake off higher taxes and low growth prospects. New monthly findings by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG have pointed to another rise [...]
London hiring slumps as employers suffer from rising costs September 8, 2025 London hiring has continued its steep decline as employers suffer the consequences of Reeves’ tax raid and rising costs. The latest jobs report from KPMG and the REC showed demand for workers in the capital has “continued to deteriorate” with both permanent placements and temp billings slumping further. Permanent staff places, hires with no fixed [...]
Job postings fall in ‘summer slowdown’ August 22, 2025 Fewer jobs postings were made in July in signs that a “summer slowdown” will hit the UK economy and test Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ commitment to get more Brits into work. Data provided by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and analytics company Lightcast has shown that there was a 9.2 per cent decrease in the number [...]
Starting pay growth at slowest pace since 2021 August 11, 2025 Pay for new hires rose at the slowest pace in over four years, fresh data has indicated, in signs redundancies and higher taxes are depressing wage growth. The lack of demand among recruiters and the larger number of job seekers in the UK economy has led to starting salary inflation slowing down to its lowest [...]
UK business confidence highest in 10 years, Lloyds Bank says July 31, 2025 UK business confidence is at its highest level in 10 years as the service sector saw the biggest jump in optimism month-on-month, according to Lloyds Bank. Firms were more optimistic for the third consecutive month, with the rise driven by improved trade prospects and an improved economic outlook. Lloyds’ survey suggested hiring intentions had also [...]
UK sees ‘small burst’ in hiring in sign of growth July 24, 2025 The UK labour market saw a “small burst” in demand for jobs in June but postings remain below levels seen last year, fresh data has found, with brutal tax rises introduced in April by Chancellor Rachel Reeves weighing on employers. In new jobs figures published by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and Lightcast, the [...]