UK Unemployment Hits 5.2% – Highest in Five Years
UK unemployment has surged to 5.2% for the last quarter of 2025, the highest level seen in nearly five years, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.
Jobs Dry Up as Vacancies Plummet
The jobs market has frozen solid. More Brits are out of work while job vacancies vanish at an alarming rate. This sharp drop in openings signals a serious slowdown in the UK labour market, leaving many struggling to find new roles.
Businesses Slam Brakes on Hiring Amid Rising Costs
Firms are hitting the brakes on recruitment thanks to soaring overheads. Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s recent budget deals a blow with a big hike in employer National Insurance contributions and a steep increase in the minimum wage. These extra costs are forcing companies to rethink hiring plans.
“Although wage growth still beats inflation, companies are clearly more cautious about hiring given the weaker economic outlook,” warned analysts.
