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 Adzuna showed a 6.4 per cent month-on-month drop in advertised roles, with total vacancies falling to 745,448. Compared with November last year, vacancies were down 15 per cent — the sharpest annual decline recorded so far in 2025.
November is typically a strong month for recruitment, particularly as businesses hire ahead of the Christmas trading period. However, weeks of speculation about possible tax rises appear to have prompted firms to delay or cancel recruitment plans, contributing to what Adzuna described as one of the toughest environments for jobseekers in recent years.
Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna, said the figures reflected a marked shift in employer behaviour. “November is historically a strong month for hiring, so this latest contraction is yet further proof employers are erring on the side of caution,” he said. “The autumn Budget added further 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. Adzuna reported a 24 per cent fall in entry-level vacancies, pushing them to their lowest level since 2021. The company said youth unemployment in the UK is now rising at the fastest pace among G7 economies.
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.
