Ryan FowlerRobert Half has reported a sharp rise in demand for IT and technology professionals, as UK businesses respond to the pace of technological change and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence across the economy.
According to the recruiter’s latest research, 56% of organisations plan to expand their permanent IT and technology teams in the first half of 2026. This represents an increase of 11% compared with the second half of 2025, signalling renewed momentum in tech hiring as digital transformation moves higher up corporate agendas.
Flexible hiring is also on the rise, with 39% of employers planning to increase contract and project-based technology resourcing. This reflects growing demand for specialist skills to support transformation programmes, system upgrades and AI deployment, particularly where businesses need to scale delivery quickly.
The findings align with broader trends across the UK technology sector. Research from the London School of Economics shows the sector is now valued at £1.2trn, with AI attracting almost 30% of venture capital investment during 2025. Growth is being driven by areas such as cybersecurity, cloud engineering and data analytics, where skills shortages remain acute.
Craig Freedberg, regional director at Robert Half, said: “The rise in IT and technology hiring reflects the critical role these functions now play at the centre of business strategy. Organisations are accelerating digital transformation, embedding AI, upgrading legacy systems and strengthening cyber resilience, all of which require highly skilled technical professionals.
“As demand rises across infrastructure, data, cybersecurity, software and cloud engineering, companies are investing in both permanent teams and flexible project-based support to ensure they can deliver at pace. Demand for tech talent in the UK is showing signs of regaining momentum and employers are already responding. The companies that prioritise attracting and retaining the right IT talent now will be best positioned to navigate regulatory change, manage organisational risk and unlock competitive advantage in 2026.”
