REC response to ONS labour market figures, August 2026 - REC

The ONS published its latest labour market figures this morning. Maxine Bligh, Chief Membership & Innovation Officer, at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), said:

“Today's data shows a job market in need of a confidence boost to get momentum going and for vacancy and inactivity rates to show more marked improvement. Employment and economic inactivity are broadly moving in the right direction but it is clear that many employers are still worried about the cost of hiring and rising operating costs. Reducing those pressures would help employers create more opportunities and support wider economic growth.

“We want to work with government to remove the obstacles and uncertainty that hold employers back and give the job market a better chance to strengthen. An important, pragmatic step is to show signs that employers are being listened to when they point to the inordinate amount of cost and bureaucracy involved in implementing the government’s Guaranteed Hours proposals. A first step would be to exclude temporary agency work from these proposals and maintain a crucial path for young people to get their start in working life. Pace on the Industrial Strategy and balance around its Make Work Pay Agenda would make the difference in fuelling the jobs market and growth.”