A slowdown in hiring has made 2025 one of the toughest years for jobseekers since the pandemic, according to a report.
Job search engine Adzuna said the number of vacancies in the UK fell 6.4 per cent in November to 745,448 – the fifth month of decline in a row.
It means job vacancies are 15 per cent lower than in November last year, with uncertainty ahead of the Budget putting firms off hiring.
Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna, said: ‘November is historically a strong month for hiring. The latest contraction is yet further proof employers are erring on the side of caution.
Tough environment: Job vacancies are 15 per cent lower than in November last year, with uncertainty ahead of the Budget putting firms off hiring
It all contributes to the fact that 2025 has been one of the toughest environments for jobseekers.’
The report found the average advertised salary rose 7.7 per cent annually to £42,687 in November, with public sector wages rising almost twice as fast as those in the private sector.
DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS
Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.