Labour Market Tracker: UK job postings edge lower amid Easter holiday lull and Gulf headwinds – REC

• The number of new job postings in the UK for April 2026 totalled 711,733, which represents a -7.7% decrease from March 2026, and a -5.6% decrease from April 2025.
• But there were 1,602,350 active job postings in April, which represents just a -0.8% contraction in jobs from March 2026.
• Only two regions within the UK experienced growth in April; bellwether London grew 6.4%, and Scotland grew 5.2%.
• The top hiring hotspots, based on growth in active job postings in April 2026, were Westminster (71.5%), Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham (65%), and Lambeth (41%).
• Similar to last month, of the top ten growth hotspots, eight are in London, which is positive as London often heralds trends nationwide.
• The sharpest declines in job postings for counties were recorded in Powys (-16.7%), Newry, Mourne and Down (-15.1%), and Causeway Coast and Glens (-12.1%).
• Active job postings increased by 7.3% in April 2026 when compared to April 2025.
• This is the first month of contraction for active job postings since December 2025

New job postings fell slightly in April 2026, according to the latest Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) Labour Market Tracker, reflecting a typical Easter slowdown as well as headwinds from the Gulf conflict.

New postings totalled 711,733 in April, down 7.7% from March and 5.6% from a year earlier.

Recruiters say the Easter holidays, rising employment costs and uncertainty over the Gulf conflict are easing momentum in the jobs market.

Active job postings declined only marginally from March, suggesting vacancies are taking longer to fill or employers are holding roles open for longer. Underlying demand remains resilient, however, with active job postings up 7.3% compared with a year earlier.

The data points to a labour market that lost momentum last month but is not weakening. The outlook will depend on whether the Gulf conflict eases and whether businesses gain confidence to move ahead with hiring plans. Political uncertainty in the UK could further weigh on recruitment appetite in the coming months.

REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry said:

“The labour market is entering a more unpredictable phase after a solid start to the year. Hiring picked up earlier this year but momentum eased somewhat in April, reflecting both seasonal Easter holidays and growing sensitivity to the conflict in the Gulf. The question now is how much of that momentum employers can realistically recover over the summer amid sudden domestic political uncertainty and prolonged tensions in the Gulf. The likely outcome is more uneven hiring environment, with some firms pulling back while others continue to support underlying demand.

“The King’s Speech handed the initiative to businesses to deliver economic growth but success will depend on swift implementation of the business backing Bills. The government must help businesses commit to permanent hiring by tackling cost pressures, which remain the key driver of recruitment decisions. Taking the risk of overly restrictive guaranteed hours legislation off the table would make a real difference to confidence.”

This month’s Labour Market Tracker shows that the top three occupations with an increase in job postings, when compared to March 2026, were Nannies and Au Pairs (91.1%), Business Sales Executives (46.8%), and Delivery Drivers and Couriers (42.2%).

But Aircraft Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers (-31.1%), Travel Agents (-23.3%), and Train and Tram Drivers (-21.2%) saw the greatest decline in demand from March to April 2026.

Westminster (71.5%), Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham (65%), Lambeth (41%), Wandsworth (24.9%), and Haringey and Islington (23.3%) all saw the largest increase in active job postings from March to April 2026.

Conversely, Powys (-16.7%), Newry, Mourne and Down (-15.1%), Causeway Coast and Glens (-12.1%), Conwy and Denbighshire (-11.2%), and Herefordshire (-10.1%) all saw contractions in the number of active job postings from March to April 2026.

Sectors:

This month’s Labour Market Tracker looks at Engineering, Healthcare, and Industrial and Construction-related occupations.

Healthcare:

Healthcare-related occupations have seen a 2.1% increase in active job postings between March and April 2026. The total number of active job postings within the Healthcare sector for April 2026 was 151,720, a 3% increase year-on-year (compared to April 2025). Year-on-year, the jobs with the most growth were Generalist Medical Practitioners (38.5%), Residential, Day and Domiciliary Care Managers and Proprietors (18.9%), and Medical Radiographers (17.5%).

The jobs with the highest rate of growth between March and April 2026 were Registered Children's Nurses (12.7%), Registered Mental Health Nurses (11.5%), Registered Nurse Practitioners (8.2%), Registered Community Nurses (6.6%) and Other Registered Nursing Professionals (5%).

But the jobs with the highest rate of contraction between March and April 2026 were Medical Radiographers (-14.7%), Midwifery Nurses (-7.2%), Laboratory Technicians (-4.4%), Senior Care Workers (-3.4%), and Caretakers (-1.1%). Year-on-year, the jobs with the greatest rate of contraction were Midwifery Nurses (-29.5%), Registered Mental Health Nurses (-15.4%), and Registered Specialist Nurses (-10.6%).

Engineering:

Engineering saw 147,609 total active job postings in April 2026, a -1.9% contraction compared to March 2026. But, when compared to April 2025, there has been a 4.6% expansion in active job postings within the sector. The jobs with the largest growth since March were Sheet Metal Workers (9.7%), Planning, Process and Production Technicians (7.7%), Tool Makers, Tool Fitters and Markers-out (5.1%), Precision Instrument Makers and Repairers (4.4%) and Mining and Quarry Workers and Related Operatives (2%).

When comparing April 2025 to April 2026, the jobs with the most growth were Production Managers and Directors in Manufacturing (31%), Security System Installers and Repairers (21.1%), and Civil Engineers (20.7%). Year-on-year, the jobs with the least growth were Telecoms and Related Network Installers and Repairers (-13.7%), Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Installers and Repairers (-9.7%). And Engineering Professionals n.e.c. (-9.5%). 

The jobs with the highest rate of contraction between March and April 2026 were Aerospace Engineers (-14.7%), [HV2] Metal Plate Workers, Smiths, Moulders and Related Occupations (-8.5%), Science, Engineering and Production Technicians n.e.c. (-8.3%), Chemical and Related Process Operatives (-8.3%), and Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Installers and Repairers (-7.1%).

Industrial and construction related occupations:

Industrial and Construction-related occupations saw a -0.9% decline when comparing March to April 2026. There was a total of 54,577 active jobs posted in April. The jobs with the most growth between March and April 2026 were Painters and Decorators (24.5%), Mobile Machine Drivers and Operatives n.e.c. (21.9%), Plasterers (17.2%), Other Drivers and Transport Operatives n.e.c. (5.1%) and Construction Project Managers and Related Professionals (2.6%).

When comparing April 2026 to April 2025, industrial and construction-related occupations saw 2.4% growth in active job postings. The jobs with the most growth were Production Managers and Directors in Construction (23%), Construction and Building Trades Supervisors (22.4%), and Construction Project Managers and Related Professionals (19.1%). The jobs with the greatest contractions year-on-year were Rail Construction and Maintenance Operatives (-35.4%), Stonemasons and Related Trades (-33.1%), and Plasterers (-22%). 

The jobs with the highest rate of contraction between March and April 2026 were Stonemasons and Related Trades (-15.6%), Rail Construction and Maintenance Operatives (-11.5%), Building and Civil Engineering Technicians (-9%), Roofers, Roof Tilers and Slaters (-8.7%) and Pipe Fitters (-8.1%).

Ends

Notes to editors:

1.               The Labour Market Tracker is produced by the REC using Lightcast Job Postings Analytics data which were harvested from tens of thousands of job boards. Data was harvested in May 2026. 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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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.

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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