Marvin OnumonuThere were 726,084 new job adverts in May 2025, a 0.3% increase on April, according to the latest Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and Lightcast Labour Market Tracker.
The number of active job postings was 1,440,792, down 1.8% as older adverts expired.
Scotland and the South West saw the biggest increase in total job postings, up 9.2% and 4.7% respectively.
Neil Carberry, CEO at REC, said: “This month’s postings data reflects both anecdote from recruiters and the core ONS workforce jobs survey – that the labour market is more stuck than going backwards.
“Despite the headwinds of tax rises and lower growth there seems to be some resilience. After a long jobs market slowdown, a second month of weak growth in new postings is a sign more of hope than concern.
“While the global growth picture is weaker than anyone would like, the UK is relatively well-positioned to take advantage of what opportunities there are.”
Carberry added: “We are past the interest rate peak, the UK looks good value by comparison to the US, has banked progress on trade deals and has a stable legal and political picture for the next few years.
“With interest rates staying steady and a possibility of reductions later this year, the challenge now is to build business confidence to invest.
“That is why it is crucial that this month’s announcements on infrastructure and the industrial strategy set a clear plan for growth that companies can get behind, and that there are no more nasty business tax surprises.”
He said: “You can’t tax and regulate your way to prosperity – it takes business growth. And getting our workforce policy right – as an economic essential, not just a rights issue – will be vital.
“With a troubling Employment Rights Bill, a big jobs tax increase and anti-business language about agency workers in some parts of government – there is a lot to change to get us there.
“Scotland and the South West of England are particularly notable in today’s numbers, with job listings rising in these regions, likely reflecting growing demand as we move into the summer tourist season.”
He added: “Although early trends suggest some market shifts, we cannot yet draw firm conclusions about summer hiring.
“The coming weeks will play a crucial role in shaping the full picture, and yes, the good weather will help.”
Business sales executives saw the largest drop in postings for the second month in a row, down 47.3%.
Authors, writers and translators fell by 24.4% and dental practitioners were down 26.6%.
Meanwhile, delivery drivers and couriers rose 53.7%.
Food, drink and tobacco process operatives were up 34.1% and business associate professionals increased by 27.7%.
By area, Causeway Coast and Glens had a 31.1% rise in new postings, Dumfries and Galloway went up 25.7% and Westminster increased 38.2%.
Newry, Mourne and Down fell 11.8%.
Ards and North Down dropped 16.1% and Camden and City of London was down 20.3%.
