A January Rebound: Job Postings Jump 34.4%
New data from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and Lightcast reveals a positive shift in the UK job market. January 2025 saw 738,040 new job postings—a remarkable 34.4% increase compared to December 2024.
The total number of active job postings reached 1,516,535, marking a 7.2% rise—the first increase since June 2024. This suggests that employers are cautiously re-entering the hiring market, though economic uncertainties remain.
Regional Hiring Trends: East Midlands Leads the Way
All UK regions experienced a boost in active job postings. The East Midlands saw the highest surge at 11.7%, while London recorded the most modest increase at 3.4%. These figures indicate that despite economic pressures, hiring activity is picking up across the country.
"Too Soon for Gloom": Experts Weigh In
REC Deputy Chief Executive Kate Shoesmith highlighted the resilience of businesses, stating, “The 34.4% rise in new job postings signals a solid rebound in demand, showing that businesses remain resilient despite both domestic and international headwinds.”
Sector Spotlight: Where the Jobs Are
Some industries saw substantial gains in job postings, while others faced a slowdown:
- Booming Sectors: Stonemasons and related trades saw a 47.9% increase, followed by gardeners and landscape gardeners at 45.3%, and travel agents at 43%.
- Construction Gains: The sector recorded over 100,000 job postings, up 13.2%. Notable increases included steel erectors (22.6%) and carpenters and joiners (20.5%).
- Retail’s Mixed Picture: While overall retail job postings rose by 3.9%, demand for sales and retail assistants continued to drop, falling by 8.4%.
- Tech Sector Stirs: IT job postings saw a modest 1.3% increase, with IT quality and testing professionals leading at 15.6% growth.
Post-Holiday Slump: Logistics Sees Expected Drop
As the holiday season wound down, delivery and logistics job postings plummeted. Postal workers, couriers, and mail sorters saw a 47.4% decline, while delivery drivers and couriers experienced a sharp 73.4% drop.
Fashion Industry Faces Ongoing Hiring Struggles
Despite demand, recruitment remains a challenge in the UK’s fashion and textile sector. Job postings in the industry have nearly halved since mid-2023, with textile process operatives and tailors seeing the steepest declines. This persistent shortage of skilled workers could threaten UK-based manufacturing.
Will Momentum Continue? Government Action Needed
While January’s job market data offers a glimmer of optimism, experts caution that economic and policy-related hurdles remain. Shoesmith warns that “fiscal uncertainty, rising national insurance costs, and potential employment rights changes” could slow progress.
Whether this job market rebound will sustain or prove temporary remains to be seen in the coming months.
My Recruiter Jobs