Labour Market Tracker: Pre-Budget blues put brakes on Christmas hiring, but New Year may yet bring boost

• The overall number of active job postings in November 2025 was 1,460,051 – a decline of 11.2% on the number of job postings in October 2025.
• Looking back to last year, active postings were 3.2% higher in November 2025 than in the same month last year.
• The number of new job postings in the UK in November 2025 was 622,156 – down by 14.4% from October 2025. This is the second consecutive month of decline after the number of new job postings in the UK increased by 11.3% from August to September 2025.
• No regions in the UK recorded growth in the active job postings. When comparing different parts of the UK, Wales (-6.5%) and Northern Ireland showed the lowest decrease (-6.5%) in the total number of job postings.
• Five out of the top ten hiring hot spot regions are in Northern Ireland.

According to the latest Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) monthly Labour Market Tracker, hiring momentum weakened sharply in November as employers slowed recruitment ahead of the Autumn Budget amid heightened speculation on tax rises, and the finalising of Employment Rights Bill. This led to broad declines in job postings across every region.

The number of new job postings in the UK in November 2025 was 622,156 – down by 14.4% from October 2025. This was reflected in the overall number of active job postings in November 2025, which was 1,460,051 – a drop of 11.2% from the number of job postings in October 2025. Overall, the job market remains resilient with active job postings staying steady above 1.4 million.

Hiring for many occupations in demand around Christmas was down on last year, which is likely down to hesitancy about economic conditions.

REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry said:

“November was a unique month with businesses’ worries on the upcoming Employment Rights Bill compounded by rampant Budget speculation that worried firms. While the Budget was by no means an easy listen for companies, the overall picture was more benign for most sectors than feared. We can hope that this, along with the more pragmatic tone the government has struck on the Employment Rights Bill over the past month, will help get the hiring market moving again. With both resolution on the Bill and the Budget coming so late in the year, however, we are looking to January for the real bounce now.”

Today’s Labour Market Tracker shows an increase in job postings this month: Leisure and Theme Park Attendants (97.2%), Stock Control Clerks and Assistants (24.1%) and Public Relations and Communications Directors (13.2%).

But Rail Construction and Maintenance Operatives (-32.3%), Stonemasons and Related Trades (-31.6%), and Plasterers (-30.5%) all showed the largest decrease in roles from October to November 2025.

Fermanagh and Omagh (19.2%), Gwynedd (13%), and Causeway Coast and Glens (8.4%) showed the biggest increase in active job postings.

Meanwhile, East Dunbartonshire (-25.6%), Bedford (-21.5%), and Central Bedfordshire (-20.5%) all accounted for the sharpest decline in job postings.

Sector trends:

Hospitality:

The number of total hospitality job postings declined by 10.4% in November 2025.

The highest increase in job postings between October 2025 and November 2025 included: Travel Agency Managers and Proprietors (12.5%), Food, Drink and Tobacco Process Operatives (11.1%).

Compared to November 2024, there was a decline of 3.2% in the active job postings in this sector.

The kinds of common occupations that had less job postings in November 2025 than in November 2024, included Cooks (down 10.7%), Chefs (down 9.6%) and Waiters and Waitresses (down 1.6%). But in a more positive outcome, the number of job postings for Bar Staff was up 27.7%, Bar and Catering Supervisors was up 14% and Catering and Bar Managers was up 10.9%.  

Retail:

Retail roles fell by 14.1% in November, following a modest 2.3% rise between September and October 2025.

All occupations within the sector recorded a decline in November compared with October’s active job postings. Waste Disposal and Environmental Services Managers (-1.1%), Vehicle and Parts Salespersons and Advisers (-4.3%) and Call and Contact Centre Occupations (-6.6%) saw the smallest decreases.

Compared to November 2024, there was a 6.5% decline.

The kinds of common retail occupations that were less in demand in November 2025 as compared to November 2024, were Sales and Retail Assistants (down 16.7%), Managers and Directors in Retail and Wholesale (down 16.2%) and Roundspersons and Van Salespersons (down 17.4%) and Shelf Fillers (down 28%). But Retail Cashiers and Check-out Operators job postings were up 64.7%.

Driving and logistics:

Driving and logistics roles decreased by 10.9% in November, after increasing by 1.8% from September to October 2025. Care Escorts (7.1%), Air Transport Operatives (1.4%), and Delivery Drivers and Couriers (-1.6%), all showed the highest increase in job postings.

But active job postings were 1.7% higher in November 2025 than in November 2024.

The kinds of common driving and logistics occupations that were more in demand in November 2025 as compared to November 2024, were Large Goods Vehicle Drivers (up 8.6%) and Fork-lift Drivers (up 4.7%).

But roles that are expected to be in demand around the festive period are down. This includes Delivery Drivers and Couriers (down 57.4%), Postal Workers, Mail Sorters, Messengers and Couriers (down 55.9%), Other Drivers and Transport Operatives n.e.c. (down 35.2%) and Warehouse Operatives (down 16.2%).

Ends

Notes to editors:

1.              The Labour Market Tracker is produced by the REC in partnership with Lightcast, using their Job Postings Analytics data which is harvested from tens of thousands of job boards. Data was harvested in November 2025. For more details, see the attached annexes which, in league table format, detail the top and bottom ten county/unitary authorities for growth in job postings and growth by occupation type.

2.              ‘Active’ job postings are those which were live online during the specified time period. ‘New’ job postings are those which were added to the active stock during the specified time period.

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About the REC

The REC is the voice of the recruitment industry, speaking up for great recruiters. We drive standards and empower recruitment businesses to build better futures for great candidates and themselves. We are champions of an industry which is fundamental to the strength of the UK economy.

Find out more about the Recruitment & Employment Confederation at www.rec.uk.com.

About Lightcast

Lightcast (formerly Emsi Burning Glass) provides trusted global labour market data, analytics, and expert guidance that empowers communities, corporations, and learning providers to make informed decisions and navigate the increasingly complex world of work. With a database of more than one billion job postings and career profiles, our team provides best-in-class customer service with robust data, clear analysis, and expert guidance on skills, jobs, and opportunities.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and Moscow, Idaho, Lightcast is active in more than 30 countries and has offices in the United Kingdom, Italy, New Zealand, and India. The company is backed by global private equity leader KKR. For more, visit www.lightcast.io/uk.

ANNEXES

Top ten and bottom ten county/unitary authorities for growth in job postings:

Top ten and bottom ten occupations by growth in job postings:

Key indicator occupations