Small Rise in West Midlands Unemployment as UK Vacancies Drop to New Low
Small firms are holding back from hiring as payrolled employee numbers edge down and vacancies hit 702,000, the lowest level since spring 2021.
- Job vacancies in the UK have fallen to the lowest level in five years as small firms hesitate to hire due to rising wage costs according to official data.
- The Office for National Statistics reported about 8,000 fewer job vacancies in the three months to August, totaling 702,000, the lowest since spring 2021 and the lowest outside the pandemic for over a decade.
- Small firms cite increasing wage bills as a key reason for not taking on more staff, reflecting continued economic pressure on hiring decisions.
- Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden noted the labour market's resilience despite global economic challenges, based on the ONS data.
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Labour market: Vacancies fall to five-year low
The UK labour market’s fragility persists, as official figures estimate that vacancies have fallen to their lowest level in more than five years. Early vacancy estimates from the Office for National Statistics for June to August 2026 suggest a decrease of 1.1% to 702,000, compared with March to May 2026 – their lowest level since April 2021. The estimated employment rate remained largely unchanged at 75.1%, in the latest quarter (May to July 202…
ONS September 2026 Labour Market: Education leads fall as UK Vacancies hit 702,000
The number of job vacancies in the UK has fallen to 702,000, the lowest figure recorded outside the coronavirus pandemic period since 2014, with education… ONS September 2026 Labour Market: Education leads fall as UK Vacancies hit 702,000 was published on FE News by FE News Editor
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