The latest Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)/ Lightcast monthly Labour Market Tracker has suggested the job market has enjoyed consistent demand this Spring with postings across the first quarter of the year showing resilience, although at a lower level than previous years. The stabilising of the job market in March 2025 will however, be tested by rising costs of employment in April as Employer’s National Insurance Contributions rise alongside the National Minimum Wage.
But with last week’s more positive economic growth numbers for February, with growth across all the main sectors, there are some signs of momentum in the economy that may push back against the effects of rising costs. At least before the sudden triggering of global tariff trade negotiations by the US in April 2025.
“There’s no denying it feels tough to employ people as the cost of taking workers on rises, but businesses are resilient, and they continue to create opportunities,” said REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry. “With a steady 1.6m active job adverts out there, employers are seeing glimmers of hope. The labour market is stabilising and February’s economic growth figures offered cautious optimism, while the UK looks relatively well-placed to weather some of the external shocks from shifting global trade policy.
“But employer confidence remains fragile,” he added. “Government must do more to support growth with its upcoming industrial strategy, and by showing it is listening to business concerns about the way the Employment Rights Bill will work. Investment will stay stuck in neutral if all that is offered is warm words. Competitiveness matters to business, and the ability of the private sector to drive the growth that will solve the government’s fiscal headache.”
The Labour Market Tracker shows an increase in job postings this month for Farmers (39.8 per cent), Delivery Drivers and Couriers (39.6 per cent) and Rail Construction and Maintenance Operatives (29.1 per cent).
Animal Care Services Occupations n.e.c.(-13.9 per cent), Window Cleaners (-16.7 per cent) and Probation Officers (-35.9 per cent) all showed the largest decline in roles from February 2025 to March 2025.
With the National Education Union (NEU) holding its annual conference this week, the REC/Lightcast report today shows 25,896 adverts for Secondary Education Teaching Professionals in March 2025 – up 5.8 per cent on February 2025 – and 17,653 adverts for Primary Education Teaching Professionals – up 9.6 per cent on February 2025.
