Vacancysoft Market Update: 2021, What Next?
As we approached the end of what has been a frenetic year 2021, with recruiters challenged in unique ways never seen before, the big question was: What next?
In this 20 minute presentation (recorded on Nov 18, 2021) we will give you a snapshot of the latest recruitment trends we are seeing emerging, both by regional area and across the key industries of the knowledge economy so you know how best to organise resources in your business.
James Chaplin, Vacancysoft CEO is presenting, where attendees had the opportunity to both network with each other, using the highly innovative REMO platform, and ask questions about the presentation directly, where after the main presentation, we will have plenty of time to respond to the issues you consider to be most important.
Download our Year in Review Magazine 2021 edition below!
In our annual magazine 2021 edition you will find a full review of the hiring activities across key sectors of the UK economy over the past year. The magazine covers trends seen in Britain’s tech, life sciences, law, finance, real estate and insurance industries.
Tax – UK Finance Market Labout Trends
The UK tax labour market is entering a correction phase after a sharp expansion in 2025. Vacancies rose by around 19% last year, but are now projected to decline by roughly 10% in 2026, pointing to stabilisation rather than contraction.
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.
AI & Data Focus – UK Tech Labour Market Trends, March 2026
The UK’s data and AI labour market reached record levels in 2025, with vacancies rising 18.4% year-on-year as businesses moved beyond pilot programmes and began integrating AI into core workflows at scale. Annualised 2026 figures point to a further 13.2% increase, with January and February already posting year-on-year growth of 20.0% and 31.7% respectively. If current trends continue, one in four jobs in the sector will have been created in the last two years, a pace of growth unmatched by virtually any other part of the UK economy.
Regulatory Affairs – UK Life Sciences Labour Market Trends, March 2026
Regulatory affairs hiring across UK life sciences contracted in 2025 as multinational pharmaceutical firms implemented widespread restructuring. London absorbed the majority of cuts, with vacancies falling by 29.3%, reflecting reductions concentrated at headquarters. Across the rest of the UK, hiring proved more resilient, declining by 7.7% while increasing its share of demand.
Internal Audit – UK Finance Market Labout Trends, March 2026
The UK Internal Audit labour market expanded noticeably in 2025, reflecting stronger demand for governance and assurance capabilities across financial institutions. Total UK vacancies increased from 376 in 2024 to 445 in 2025, an 18% rise that indicates a clear improvement in hiring momentum throughout the year.
Year in Review – UK Real Estate Labour Market Trends Report, January 2026
This report shows UK real estate hiring remained resilient in 2025, with vacancies rising 0.5% nationally despite a 1.3% drop in London, driven by strong demand for sales and infrastructure roles. Regional growth was uneven, with Scotland leading at 14.2%, while housing-focused firms scaled back recruitment amid slower residential markets.
Year in Review – UK NFP Labour Market Trends Report, January 2026
This report shows how policy changes and rising costs are reshaping hiring in the UK non-profit sector, with organisations focusing on targeted roles and operational efficiency. It also highlights a shift away from London and growing demand for technical roles while some charities reduce hiring due to tighter budgets.
Year in Review – UK Telecom Labour Market Trends Report, January 2026
This report shows that UK telecom hiring rose 6.3% in 2025 but began slowing as the sector shifted from rapid 5G expansion to consolidation. Demand is increasingly focused on IT and engineering roles, while regional hiring gaps and employer strategies continue to diverge.
