Summer slowdown hits new job postings in the UK – but there’s a silver lining
The number of active job postings in the UK was up 3.4% in July 2025 compared to the previous month, according to the latest Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) / Lightcast monthly Labour Market Tracker.
But this reflected fewer adverts closing off, as the number of new job postings declined by 9.2% from the previous month.
Compared to July 2024, new job postings in the UK declined by 11.0% in July 2025. Wales saw the biggest increase, with new postings rising by 2.8% year-on-year. In contrast, Northern Ireland experienced the sharpest decline, with a 39.9% drop in new job postings over the same period.
This month’s Labour Market Tracker has lower levels of in-depth data while an issue with one data source is being resolved. This report excludes the problematic data.
“Despite a long slowdown driven by uncertainty and rising costs, the British labour market is still creating lots of opportunities. Recruiters tell us that firms entered the summer break with a little more positivity than they had earlier in the year, so there is some hope of a bounce once the summer slowdown is over,” said Neil Carberry, REC Chief Executive.
Even with economic ups and downs this year, many firms are still competing for talent, especially in sectors facing skills shortages such as engineering, technology, and financial services, he said.
“But today’s data underlines the need for action in the Autumn Budget. Business optimism took a kicking after last autumn’s Budget, with spring tax rises in particular weighing on employers’ thinking.
“The fear of further costs, worries about the impact of the Employment Rights Bill, and new tax rules are all on employers’ minds. If ministers want growth, they must deliver stability and backing for businesses by moderating policy costs, reforming skills funding, and putting the workforce at the heart of economic strategy.”
