How are legal vacancies faring across the different sectors in England & Wales? What are the roles most in-demand? Which industries are experiencing uplifts? Which firms are the busiest?
Written by Vacancysoft, this report analyses the recruitment of professionals from different sectors within England & Wales. It observes the trends of the annual and monthly total, compares the busiest sectors, a breakdown of the most wanted roles, and the hiring activity of top firms.
To discover more insights and trends that drove
UK’s Legal 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.
