How are vacancies faring amidst the challenging times in the economic landscape in England and Wales? What are the leading financial sectors and roles? Which regions have the highest activity, and which are the firms leading hiring?
Written in partnership with Morgan McKinley, this report analyses the recruitment of professionals within different sectors in the UK. It observes the trends of the annual and monthly total, compares the skills in demand, a regional breakdown of recruitment, and the hiring activity of top firms.
To discover more insights and trends that drove
UK’s Finance Labour Market in 2022,
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South West – Regional Labour Market Trends
Hiring conditions in the South West have improved at the start of 2026, though the pace remains controlled. Vacancies rose by 7.9% compared to the previous quarter, returning close to levels seen at the start of 2025. This suggests demand has stabilised, with employers resuming hiring where required rather than expanding broadly
Engineering – UK Life Sciences Labour Market Trends, May 2026
Engineering hiring across the UK pharmaceuticals sector is entering a period of adjustment, with vacancies forecast to fall by 31.5% in 2026 following strong growth of 19.2% in 2025. The shift reflects a move away from expansion-led hiring towards a more efficiency-driven approach, as organisations respond to cost pressures and evolving operating models.
North West – Regional Labour Market Trends, March 2026
The North West enters 2026 from a position of relative strength, following a 7.7% increase in vacancies in 2025. However, that growth was far from smooth. Hiring peaked in March, rising 19.2% month-on-month, before falling 16.0% by August. Despite these swings, overall demand remained resilient, with the region accounting for 55.1% of all northern vacancies.
