UK economy shrinks 0.3% in April as legal and support services hit by tax and trade pressures
GDP fell 0.3% in April 2025, with sharp declines in legal, real estate, and technical services activity, according to the latest data from the ONS.
UK employment rate edges up but jobless rate climbs to highest since 2021
The UK employment rate rose slightly to 75.1% in the three months to April, but the unemployment rate climbed to 4.6% - its highest level since July 2021.
Sickness absences fall to 4.4 days per worker in 2024 – ONS
An estimated 148.9 million working days were lost due to sickness or injury in 2024, a drop of 14.9 million from the previous year.
Employment and vacancies down while pay growth outpaces inflation – ONS
Data showed that the unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over was 4.5%, which was up on the year and higher in the latest quarter.
Labour market pressures bearing down on firms, warns BCC
Jane Gratton, deputy director of public policy at the BCC, highlighted that the labour market remains a major source of strain for companies across the country.
Wage growth steady but vacancies fall below pre-pandemic levels as hiring slows
ONS labour market data for December to February shows real wage growth and a rising employment rate, but vacancies have dropped for the 33rd consecutive quarter, falling below pre-pandemic levels for the first time.
Workforce grows by 72,000 from November to January – ONS
Unemployment remained steady at 4.4%, in line with both the previous quarter and market expectations. Economic inactivity also remained unchanged at 21.5% over the same period.
Men out of touch with reality regarding workplace equality, report finds
ONS figures showed that women earn 7% less than men on average, yet 76% of working men believe their company pays people equally for the same role.
Hospitalisation leads to increased benefit receipts among long-term ill employees – ONS
Among those economically inactive due to long-term ill-health in England and Wales, 97.4% received social security benefits in the preceding year.
Unemployment steady at 4.4% amid declining vacancies and pay growth – ONS
The number of vacancies decreased by 9,000 on the quarter, marking the 31st consecutive drop, but still remaining above pre-pandemic levels.
Quarter of girls projected to live to 100, raising pension concerns – ONS
The ONS projected that boys born in the UK in 2023 can expect to live to 86.7 years on average, and girls to 90.0 years.
Strongest real wage growth since 2005, despite cooling jobs market – Resolution Foundation
The Resolution Foundation estimated the employment rate for those aged 16 and over is now 61.1%.
