Unemployment in the UK has jumped to 5.2% for the three months ending December 2025. This marks the highest level in nearly five years, reveals the latest Office for National Statistics data.
Jobs Dry Up as Vacancies Vanish
The job market has hit a freeze. More Brits are out of work, while job vacancies are disappearing at an alarming rate. The plunge in openings signals a serious slowdown in the UK labour market.
Businesses Slam Brakes on Hiring amid Rising Costs
Recruitment is grinding to a halt. Firms are reeling from soaring expenses following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s recent budget moves. The biggest pain points? A hefty hike in employer National Insurance contributions and a sharp increase in the minimum wage.
“Although wage growth still beats inflation, companies are clearly more cautious about hiring given the weaker economic outlook,” warned analysts.
