Tue, 10 Jun 2025

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 UK firms hold off on hiring as job vacancies fall

The employment market is "weakening" official figures suggest, as cautious businesses delay recruitment.

* The number of available jobs fell by 63,000 between March and May.
* The unemployment rate rose from 4.5% to 4.6%, the highest in almost four years.
* Average wages slowed to a 5.2% increase between February and April.
* The employment rate stood at 34 million people over the age of 16 in work, up from 33.5 million last year.
* Firms are holding back on hiring or replacing workers who leave, contributing to the decline in job vacancies.
* Businesses are looking to offset increased employment costs through reduced headcount and slower hiring activity.
* The unemployment rate is expected to rise higher over the coming year.
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