Executive Comment
Insights on the market from the Vacancysoft CEO, James Chaplin
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The end of the property boom
The UK housing market is under strain as rising interest rates, new regulations, and potential wealth taxes squeeze landlords and stall house prices. With construction costs climbing and buyer demand weakening, builders, landlords, and the wider labour market all face mounting pressure.
UK Risks Falling Behind In Global AI Race
Britain’s push to be both an AI superpower and a climate leader faces a growing energy crunch. Data centres demand heavy power, costs are soaring, and grid upgrades lag behind. Without credible solutions, the UK risks losing tech investment and undermining its green ambitions.
A briefing from Ukraine
Russian diplomacy remains uncompromising as the Ukraine war grinds on. Despite staggering losses and economic strain, Putin still bets on escalation. Yet Europe is rearming at historic speed, Ukraine grows more resilient, and the endgame draws closer. The outcome will reshape Europe’s security for generations to come.
The Graduate Crisis
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the graduate job market, cutting entry-level roles across law, finance, media, and more. As traditional career ladders disappear, success will depend on adaptability, entrepreneurial thinking, and skills AI can’t replace. Britain’s education system must evolve to prepare graduates for an AI-driven economy.
Bank of England Votes Narrowly to Cut Rates
The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 4%, but rising inflation and a divided vote signal a cautious path ahead. With food prices and unemployment both climbing, businesses face growing uncertainty as the UK economy grapples with stagnation, weakening investment, and policy trade-offs.
US Escalates Tariffs Over India-Russia Defence Links
India’s rising trade with Russia is drawing scrutiny as global tensions escalate. With US tariffs looming, New Delhi faces a pivotal choice between cheap oil and strategic alignment.
Minsky Paradox: Calm Before Financial Chaos
As stablecoins grow and global trade shifts toward China, the US faces renewed pressure on the dollar. With the Triffin Dilemma and Minsky Paradox resurfacing, could digital money and geopolitical tensions trigger a tipping point for dollar dominance?
Rolling the dice on Financial Services deregulation
UK GDP is sliding, costs rising, welfare & labour gaps widening. With FDI at lows and firms wary of new rules, can Reeves’ Leeds reforms reignite growth?
AI’s Coming Power Surge
The UK faces a growing energy gap as domestic production declines and demand surges, driven by AI and the digital economy. With aging infrastructure and unreliable renewables, nuclear is back in focus, but can SMRs scale fast enough? A long-term strategy is no longer optional.
Tax rises in Autumn are now inevitable
Tax rises this Autumn now look inevitable after Labour’s welfare reforms collapsed. With markets rattled, Starmer forced into a U-turn, and Reform gaining ground, pressure is mounting ahead of the next Budget.
The US strikes Iran
The US strike on Iran’s nuclear sites marks a turning point, likely accelerating Tehran’s push for nuclear weapons while sidelining moderates and escalating regional tensions. As the UK faces rising threats from a growing Iran–Russia axis, its lack of military readiness is becoming a critical vulnerability.
A trade deal with the USA
Trump’s tariffs threaten UK exports in cars and pharma, but a weakening dollar and trade deal prospects offer a potential boost for UK industry.
Has Reeves tax gambit failed?
The UK economy contracts 0.3% amid job cuts and tax hikes. High earners are leaving, companies are downsizing, and urgent reform is needed to avoid deeper decline.
The rise of AI
Our CEO James Chaplin attended the APSCo IT Forum this week, where the conversation on AI highlighted the sharp contrast between sectors already integrating AI and those still defining their strategy.
Financial Services reform is coming
On July 15, the UK Chancellor will unveil major financial services reforms—including changes to pension fund investment rules, banking ringfencing, and crypto regulation–to boost a sector that makes up 8.8% of the UK economy but has stagnated since Brexit.
Vacancies in Law drop 10% YOY
Legal sector job vacancies in the UK have dropped by 10% in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, as political instability and rapid technological change drive a more cautious approach to hiring across law firms and legal departments.
Minutes from the Finance Forum
Discover key takeaways from our latest Finance Forum, including how easing market volatility, UK–US trade developments, and shifting economic trends are shaping London’s financial services and labour market.
London Financial Services Update
Fintech hiring is surging in 2025, with job vacancies expected to rise by up to 50% despite a slowdown in venture funding. Growth is driven by expanding commercial teams and increased demand for risk and compliance roles amid stricter FCA regulations.
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