UK job vacancies fell for a fifth consecutive month in November as employers became increasingly cautious in the run-up to the autumn Budget, according to new figures that underline the growing fragility of the labour market.
Data from job site Adzuna showed a 6.4 per cent month-on-month decline in advertised roles, leaving total vacancies at 745,448. Compared with November 2024, vacancies were down 15 per cent, marking the steepest annual drop so far in 2025.
November is typically a strong month for recruitment, with businesses hiring ahead of the Christmas trading period. However, weeks of speculation over potential tax rises appear to have prompted many firms to delay or cancel recruitment plans, contributing to what Adzuna described as one of the most challenging environments for jobseekers in recent years.
Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna, said the figures reflected a clear shift in employer behaviour. “November is historically a strong month for hiring, so this latest contraction is further proof that employers are erring on the side of caution,” he said. “The autumn Budget added uncertainty as we headed into the festive period, and that has weighed heavily on recruitment decisions.”
The slowdown has been particularly severe for those entering the workforce. Entry-level vacancies fell 24 per cent, reaching their lowest level since 2021. Adzuna noted that youth unemployment in the UK is now rising faster than in any other G7 economy.
Official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) earlier this month showed the unemployment rate rising to 5.1 per cent in the three months to October, the highest level since the pandemic. The ONS also reported a 0.1 per cent contraction in the UK economy in October, reinforcing concerns about weakening demand.
The Bank of England has responded by cutting interest rates to 3.75 per cent from 4 per cent in a bid to stimulate growth and support employment.
Competition for available roles has intensified as vacancies decline. Adzuna estimates there are now more than two candidates for every advertised job, creating greater pressure on applicants across most sectors. While advertised wage growth remains elevated at over 7 per cent, official ONS data shows private sector pay rising closer to 3 per cent, highlighting a disconnect between listed salaries and actual earnings.
Sector-level analysis shows particularly sharp reductions in logistics, with vacancies down nearly 15 per cent over the month. Retail roles fell 5 per cent, reflecting weaker consumer demand at a critical time of year. Retailers will be hoping for a late surge in spending to salvage the Christmas period, but the ONS reported retail sales volumes slipped by 0.1 per cent in November, despite Black Friday, signaling ongoing challenges.
With vacancies continuing to fall and employers holding back on hiring, economists warn the jobs market could remain under pressure into 2026 unless confidence returns and demand begins to recover.
