UK job vacancies fall for fifth month as employers rein in hiring

"Data from Adzuna showed a 6.4 per cent month-on-month drop in advertised roles, with total vacancies falling to 745,448. Compared with November last year, vacancies were down 15 per cent - the sharpest annual decline recorded so far in 2025."

"The slowdown has been particularly severe for those entering the workforce. Adzuna reported a 24 per cent fall in entry-level vacancies, pushing them to their lowest level since 2021. The company said youth unemployment in the UK is now rising at the fastest pace among G7 economies."

"The autumn Budget added further uncertainty as we headed into the festive period, and that has weighed heavily on recruitment decisions."

Advertised UK job vacancies declined 6.4% month-on-month to 745,448 in November and were 15% lower than a year earlier, marking the sharpest annual fall in 2025. Employers delayed or cancelled recruitment ahead of the autumn Budget, reducing hiring in a seasonally strong month. Entry-level vacancies fell 24%, reaching their lowest level since 2021, and youth unemployment is rising faster than in other G7 countries. Official figures showed unemployment at 5.1% for the three months to October and a 0.1% contraction in the economy in October. The Bank of England cut interest rates to 3.75% amid the weakening outlook.

Read at Business Matters