Labour Market Tracker: UK job market sees growth in new postings - REC

• The number of new job postings in the UK in June 2025 was 757,594 – up by 6.2% from May 2025.
• This is behind the number measured a year ago (-2.6%), but some regions including London and the South East are showing higher numbers than last year.
• The overall number of active job postings in June 2025 was 1,485,542 – an increase of 4.5% on the number of job postings in May 2025.
• When comparing regions, London (8.1%) and the East Midlands (7.5%) showed the highest increase in the total number of job postings.
• There was a significant rise in demand for transport and logistics professionals in the first six months of 2025. But demand for Actors, Entertainers, and Presenters has dropped sharply – do we need to remember our sense of fun, and the value of the UK’s creative industries?

A small burst of hiring starts saw the number of new job postings in the UK in June 2025 up by 6.2% on the previous month, according to the latest Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) / Lightcast monthly Labour Market Tracker.

The number of new job postings in the UK in June 2025 was 757,594 – up by 6.2% on May 2025. The equivalent number for 2024 was 778,247, so the number is down 2.6% year on year – though some regions – notably London – are ahead of last year. The overall number of active job postings in June 2025 was 1,485,542, also an increase of 4.5% on the number of job postings in May 2025.

Today’s Labour Market Tracker shows the largest increase in job postings from May 2025 to June 2025 for Train and Tram Drivers (50.7%), Undertakers, Mortuary and Crematorium Assistants (45.4%) and Agricultural and Fishing Trades (32.1%).

The biggest decrease in job postings this month was for Delivery Drivers and Couriers (-30.8%), Paramedics (-24.0%), and for the second month in a row for Authors, Writers, and Translators (-25.5%).

REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry said:

“As businesses adjust to higher National Insurance and react to growing demand, even at an anaemic level, they are returning to hiring in a steady but unspectacular way. London is more buoyant this year than last, which is often a leading indicator of a better trend for the whole country. The key to the labour market now is the same as it is for the wider economy: confidence. We need to see delivery on the new Industrial Strategy and planning reforms, pragmatism and caution on the raft of new employer costs that are being proposed by Ministers, and a “no surprises” Budget that avoids the tax hikes on jobs that we saw last year.

“In the education sector, primary and secondary schools typically do most of their recruitment in late spring and summer to prepare for the September term. But the government’s education recruitment policies need to deliver real results given there are still more than 40,000 unfilled teaching vacancies across these schools.”

Looking more broadly at 2025 so far, Neil Carberry, said:

“It’s encouraging to see strong growth in transport and logistics jobs in 2025 – a clear sign of robust demand across supply chains, and a sector that offers opportunities accessible to a wide range of workers. But the sharp drop in job adverts for delivery drivers this year suggests that e-commerce demand, particularly in parcel delivery, may have possibly passed its peak. And the sharp drop in demand for performers and entertainers raises an interesting question: have we lost a bit of our sense of fun? Let’s hope the summer brings it back.”

Gwynedd (24.7%), Fermanagh and Omagh (24.5%) and Southend-on-Sea (16.6%) showed the highest increase in job postings in June 2025.

Key organisations looking to hire in Gwynedd in June 2025 were Gwynedd Council, the NHS and Haven Holidays. Firms responsible for the most job postings in Fermanagh and Omagh were recruitment agencies Hays, Vanrath and Nw Care and Recruitment. While recruitment agencies Pertemps and Hays were busy with advertising roles in Southend-on-Sea in June 2025, direct employer job postings in that area included the NHS, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and South Essex College. 

Newry, Mourne and Down, for the second month in a row, (-14.3%), East Sussex CC (-15.7%) and Derry City and Strabane (-21.2%) all accounted for the sharpest decline in job postings.

Sectors:

Education:

The Education sector saw 8.6% increase in the number of job postings from May 2025 to June 2025. The top three roles that had the highest increase were: Higher Level Teaching Assistants (29.5%), Teaching Assistants (16.3%) and Educational Support Assistants (14.8%).

The three roles with the biggest decreases in that time period were: Head Teachers and Principals (-21.2%), Other Educational Professionals n.e.c (-5.4%) and Early Education and Childcare Assistants (-2.4%).

Health and Social Care:

Overall, the sector had a 1.1% decrease in the number of job postings from May 2025 to June 2025.

Dental Practitioners had the biggest uptick in postings, rising 29.2% from the previous month (May 2025). Other such roles to show an increase in that period include Generalist Medical Practitioners (12.0%) and Registered Children's Nurses (11.7%).

Driving and Logistics:

There were over 100,000 driving and logistics roles posted in June 2025. This is a 6.9% increase from May 2025.

Roles with the biggest increase were Train and Tram Drivers (50.7%), Managers in Logistics (24.5%) and Road Transport Drivers n.e.c. (22.6%).

Labour Market Tracker: Six-month update

The latest Labour Market Tracker six-month update highlights a striking rise in demand for transport and logistics professionals. Comparing job postings from the first half of 2025 to the same six-month period in 2024, Train and Tram Drivers saw the biggest growth at +133.7. Several driving and logistics roles dominate the top 10 fastest-growing job postings, pointing to potential ongoing infrastructure investment but also skills shortages in transport and construction.

Job postings for Stonemasons and Related Trades were also far higher in the first six months of 2025 compared to the first six months of 2024 (+63.9%).

At the other end of the scale, job postings declined most sharply for Stock Control Clerks and Assistants (-57.8%), Delivery Operatives (-57.5%) and Actors, Entertainers and Presenters (-52.2%), suggesting continued shifts in consumer behaviour and automation.

Top 10 new job postings that saw the highest increase when comparing January to June 2024 to January to June 2025:

• Train and Tram Drivers + 133.70%
• Stonemasons and Related Trades + 63.90%
• Rail Construction and Maintenance Operatives + 60.70%
• Road Transport Drivers n.e.c + 59.40%
• Business Sales Executives + 53.10%
• Other Drivers and Transport Operatives n.e.c. + 52.40%
• Mobile Machine Drivers and Operatives n.e.c. + 51.90%
• Dental Practitioners + 38.10%
• Collector Salespersons and Credit Agents + 36.60%
• Early Education and Childcare Services Proprietors + 35.1%

The 10 new job postings that had the largest decrease in postings comparing January to June 2024 to January to June 2025:

• Veterinary Nurses - 35.30%
• Dispensing Opticians - 37.10%
• Data Entry Administrators - 38.90%
• Retail Cashiers and Check-out Operators - 39.30%
• Market Research Interviewers - 45.10%
• Pensions and Insurance Clerks and Assistants - 46.20%
• Other Skilled Trades n.e.c. - 49.70%
• Actors, Entertainers and Presenters - 52.20%
• Delivery Operatives - 57.50%
• Stock Control Clerks and Assistants - 57.80%

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 June 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.

3.           The stage is set – start your career with a bang (and drumroll) at a festival or concert this summer, REC, June 2025. This summer provides not just a breakthrough chance for music bands at festivals and concerts, but can also provide that big break for people to find work and begin a career in hospitality. Amid a youth worklessness crisis and a lack of workers to fill hospitality roles, people who are available to work this summer, such as those finishing school exams very soon across the UK, should look out for these job adverts going ‘live’ right now.

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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