Lloyd’s of London’s recent report highlights the most favourable underwriting conditions in over a decade, signalling a significant upturn in the insurance market. Profits have surged from £3.9bn in the first half of 2023 to £4.9bn in the same period of 2024, reflecting robust market growth. This positive trend has been mirrored in London’s job market, with insurance vacancies increasing by 6.6% this year.
The UK pharmaceuticals sector is recovering from its post-pandemic slowdown, with a focus on addressing the backlog of drug approvals by the MHRA. As approvals accelerate, pharmaceutical manufacturing is ramping up, contributing to an 8.8% increase in engineering vacancies in 2024 compared to last year.
The UK stands out among G8 countries due to its political stability, with the government expected to remain in power for up to 10 years. Consequently, 2024 could mark a turning point for UK banking, thanks to recent deregulation reforms and stable interest rates.
In the first seven months of 2024, Scotland recorded 12,766 professional vacancies, which accounted for 5.3% of the UK’s total of 226,708 vacancies. Scotland’s job market has seen a modest year-on-year increase of 0.5%, significantly lagging behind the UK’s national average growth of 2.5%.
The first half of 2024 has demonstrated market resilience despite ongoing economic challenges. While sectors like banking and real estate face pressures from new government policies and global uncertainties, strategic adjustments are evident.
The banking sector continued its slump in 2024, with vacancies down 3% compared to last year. However, recent analysis suggests UK securities are undervalued, and with a new government, the sector might rebound – July has shown record performance. Tax has been a key focus for hiring, especially with Labour’s tax-raising agenda. As a result, tax roles have performed strongly, making the upcoming Autumn budget particularly significant.
