UK Employment Records Smallest Gain in 4 Months

The number of employed people in the United Kingdom increased by 83 thousand to 34.469 million in the three months to June 2026, following a gain of 147 thousand in the previous period. The increase was the smallest since February, reflecting a decline in part-time employment that partly offset continued growth in full-time jobs. Compared with a year earlier, employment rose by 253 thousand, driven by increases in both full-time employees and part-time self-employed workers. The employment rate for people aged 16 to 64 stood at 75.1%, extending the broadly stable trend seen since mid-2024, while the rate for those aged 65 and over stood at 13.3%. By gender, the employment rate remained higher for men at 64.2%, compared with 57.4% for women. Meanwhile, the number of people holding second jobs increased over the quarter to 1.293 million, representing 3.7% of total employment.

The number of employed people in the United Kingdom rose by 148 thousand to 34.475 million in the three months to May 2026, exceeding expectations for a gain of 85 thousand and following a 99 thousand increase in the previous period. This marked the largest increase since July 2025, driven by increases in both full-time and part-time employment. Compared with a year earlier, employment increased by 340 thousand, reflecting gains in both full-time employees and part-time self-employed workers. Despite the increase in employment, the employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 edged up to 75.1% from 75.0% in the previous quarter but remained 0.1 percentage point below a year earlier, extending the broadly stable trend seen since mid-2024. Meanwhile, the number of people holding second jobs rose over the quarter to 1.278 million, accounting for 3.7% of total employment, though it remained below the level recorded a year earlier.

The number of employed people in the United Kingdom rose by 100 thousand to 34.410 million in the three months to April 2026, following a 148 thousand increase in the previous period and above forecasts of a 75 thousand gain. This was mainly driven by growth in full-time employment, while part-time work declined over the quarter. Compared with a year earlier, employment increased by 399 thousand, reflecting gains in both full-time and part-time workers, with the rise in full-time employment driven by employees and the increase in part-time work supported by self-employed workers. Despite this, the employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 remained unchanged at 75.0%, both over the quarter and compared with a year earlier, following a period of relative stability since mid-2024. Meanwhile, the number of people holding second jobs declined to 1.277 million, accounting for 3.7% of total employment.