UK vacancies fall to 691,000, lowest outside pandemic since 2014: ONS
- UK vacancies fell by 21,000 to 691,000 in July to September 2026.
- Outside the pandemic, vacancies were last this low in July to September 2014, at 686,000.
- The UK unemployment rate was 4.7% in June to August 2026.
- Annual total pay growth slowed to 3.7%, the lowest since August to October 2020.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — UK job vacancies fell by 21,000 to 691,000 in the three months to September, the largest quarterly drop since the start of 2026. Outside the pandemic, the last time vacancies were this low was July to September 2014, when there were 686,000.
Smaller firms pull back
The fall came mainly from smaller firms, which continue to suggest they may not be recruiting because of increased labor costs, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in its labour market overview on Oct. 20. Vacancies were down 37,000, or 5.1%, on the year.
The ONS said “the labour market remains broadly flat in 2026.” Vacancies have fallen by 28,000 since January to March.
Unemployment edges down to 4.7%
The unemployment rate was estimated at 4.7% in June to August, down 0.1 percentage points on both the year and the quarter. The employment rate for people aged 16 to 64 rose 0.2 points to 75.3%, and the economic inactivity rate fell to 20.9%.
Payroll data were weaker. Payrolled employees fell by 92,000 on the year in June to August, and by 37,000 on the quarter.
The early estimate for September put payrolled employees at 30.3 million, largely unchanged on the month but down 66,000 on the year. The Claimant Count rose on the month and the year to an estimated 1.701 million in September.
Pay growth at a near six-year low
Annual growth in total earnings, including bonuses, slowed to 3.7% in June to August from 3.9%, the lowest since August to October 2020. Regular pay growth, excluding bonuses, was also 3.7% and has been relatively stable over the past six three-month periods.
Regular pay grew 6.3% in the public sector and 3.0% in the private sector. Adjusted for inflation using CPIH, real regular pay grew 0.6% and real total pay 0.7%.
A brighter read from recruiters
The official data are softer than the latest KPMG and REC recruiter survey. OA reported on Oct. 16 that the UK Report on Jobs showed permanent placements rising in September at the fastest pace in four years, though KPMG called it “a fragile recovery.”
What it means for employers
With fewer openings and pay growth easing, UK employers have room to rethink how they fill roles.
Smaller firms citing labor costs can weigh offshore outsourcing or a staffing agency for flexible capacity, and compare providers on the top BPO companies worldwide list.
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