The estimated number of workforce jobs in the UK saw a decrease of 48,000 (0.1%) to 36.7 million in June 2026, compared with March 2026. This decline included a 43,000 (1.0%) decrease in self-employment jobs and a 10,000 (0.0%) decrease in employee jobs.
In the latest quarter, the estimated number of vacancies in the UK also fell. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates a decrease of 8,000 (1.1%) to 702,000 between June and August, compared with the March to May 2026 period.
Liz McKeown, ONS director of economic statistics, noted that vacancies are at their lowest level outside the pandemic period for over a decade. She added that smaller businesses continue to report that increased labour costs are affecting hiring decisions.
The number of employees on company payrolls decreased by 26,000 in August and was down by 145,000 compared with August 2025. Despite these drops, the UK's unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over remained at 4.9% for the May to July quarter.
Total pay growth, including bonuses, slowed to 3.9% in May to July, down from 4.2% in the previous three-month period. Regular pay growth, excluding bonuses, remained at 3.5%.