UK Job Vacancies Hit Five-Year Low as Hiring Slows
Vacancies fell to 707,000 in March-May 2026—the lowest level since early 2021—signalling a significant cooling in the UK labour market. Permanent hiring demand weakened sharply while redundancies increased.
Market weakening across sectors
The UK recorded a decrease of 19,000 vacancies (2.6%) to 707,000 in March to May 2026, compared with the previous quarter, marking the lowest level since February to April 2021. Overall demand for staff weakened at a quicker rate, largely reflecting a steeper reduction in permanent job vacancies, while at the same time redundancies were widely cited again in June, contributing to a further marked increase in candidate availability.
Vacancy estimates decreased in 10 of the 18 industry sectors, with the largest industry decrease in professional, scientific and technical activities (down 8,000), and the largest size band decrease for businesses with 1 to 9 employees (down 16,000). This represents the lowest number of advertised job vacancies the ONS has recorded since the start of 2021.
Wage pressures persist despite weakness
Despite the decline in vacancies, pay trends improved, with employers raising starting salaries and wages at quicker rates as they sought to attract and secure candidates with sought-after skills. The number of people placed into permanent positions fell at a marginal pace that was the softest in three months, while temp billings rose at the quickest rate since April 2023.
What this means for expat job-seekers
If you're an expat looking to move to the UK or switch jobs, you're entering a tighter market. Employers are being more selective, but in specialist areas—technology, healthcare, engineering—wage growth remains resilient. Mid-sized businesses (10–49 employees) have cut vacancies most sharply, so large firms and very small firms may offer more openings. For those seeking Skilled Worker sponsorship, tougher hiring conditions mean your employer must justify the role more carefully to the Home Office.
Sources
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