The number of payrolled employees in the UK rose by 2 thousand to 30.3 million in May 2026, after a revised 53 thousand drop in April. This marked the first monthly increase following three consecutive months of declines due to the Middle East fuel shock. On an annual basis, employment fell by 0.4%, or 119 thousand. The largest decrease was seen in the accommodation and food service activities sector (-80 thousand), while the administrative and support services sector recorded the largest increase (+34 thousand). Across NUTS3 regions, Westminster posted a 2.3% decline in payrolled employees, whereas Mid Ulster registered a 1.9% increase. Meanwhile, the median monthly pay grew by 4.6% from a year earlier to £2,626. Growth in median pay was highest in the health and social work sector (+7.0%) and lowest in the finance and insurance sector (+1.8%). source: Office for National Statistics

Non Farm Payrolls in the United Kingdom increased by 2 thousand in May of 2026. Non Farm Payrolls in the United Kingdom averaged 24.60 Thousand from 2014 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 173.71 Thousand in January of 2015 and a record low of -450.01 Thousand in April of 2020. This page provides - United Kingdom Payrolled Employees- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. United Kingdom HMRC Payrolls Change - values, historical data and charts - was last updated on June of 2026.

Non Farm Payrolls in the United Kingdom increased by 2 thousand in May of 2026. Non Farm Payrolls in the United Kingdom is expected to be 20.00 Thousand by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom HMRC Payrolls Change is projected to trend around 45.00 Thousand in 2027 and 50.00 Thousand in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-19 06:00 AM
HMRC Payrolls Change
Apr -100K -28K -26.0K
2026-06-18 06:00 AM
HMRC Payrolls Change
May 2K -53K -80.0K
2026-07-21 06:00 AM
HMRC Payrolls Change
Jun 2K 20K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Weekly Hours 31.80 31.70 Hours Apr 2026
Claimant Count Change 31.20 8.30 Thousand May 2026
Employed Persons 34410.00 34392.00 Thousand Apr 2026
Employment Change 100.00 148.00 Thousand Apr 2026
Employment Rate 75.00 75.00 percent Apr 2026
Full Time Employment 25654.00 25642.00 Thousand Apr 2026
Job Vacancies 707.00 709.00 Thousand Apr 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 79.00 79.10 percent Apr 2026
Labour Costs 112.50 111.50 points Dec 2025
HMRC Payrolls Change 1.73 -52.65 Thousand May 2026
Part Time Employment 8755.00 8750.00 Thousand Apr 2026
Population 69.49 69.28 Million Dec 2025
Labour Productivity 99.99 99.10 points Mar 2026
Unemployed Persons 1680.60 1672.40 Thousand Apr 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.90 5.00 percent Apr 2026
Average Earnings incl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr) 4.40 4.40 percent Apr 2026
Average Weekly Wages 753.00 754.00 GBP/Week Apr 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 826.00 822.00 GBP/Week Apr 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 14.50 14.70 percent Apr 2026


United Kingdom HMRC Payrolls Change
In the UK, the number of payrolled employees is defined as the number of people receiving paid remuneration included in PAYE RTI within the reference period, including people who have not done work but are an employee - such as those on paid leave.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
1.73 -52.65 173.71 -450.01 2014 - 2026 Thousand Monthly
SA

News Stream
UK Payroll Employment Rises 2K in May
The number of payrolled employees in the UK rose by 2 thousand to 30.3 million in May 2026, after a revised 53 thousand drop in April. This marked the first monthly increase following three consecutive months of declines due to the Middle East fuel shock. On an annual basis, employment fell by 0.4%, or 119 thousand. The largest decrease was seen in the accommodation and food service activities sector (-80 thousand), while the administrative and support services sector recorded the largest increase (+34 thousand). Across NUTS3 regions, Westminster posted a 2.3% decline in payrolled employees, whereas Mid Ulster registered a 1.9% increase. Meanwhile, the median monthly pay grew by 4.6% from a year earlier to £2,626. Growth in median pay was highest in the health and social work sector (+7.0%) and lowest in the finance and insurance sector (+1.8%).
2026-06-18
UK Payroll Employment Falls Most Since 2020
The number of payrolled employees in the UK declined by 100 thousand, or 0.3% to 30.2 million in April 2026, following a revised 28 thousand fall in March. This was the third consecutive monthly decline and the steepest fall since May 2020, as the war in the Middle East continued to weigh on business confidence and hiring activity. On an annual basis, employment decreased by 0.7%, or 210 thousand. The biggest fall was recorded in the wholesale and retail sector (-76 thousand), while the largest increase was in the health and social work sector (+24 thousand). Across NUTS3 regions, Brent registered a 2.6% drop in payrolled employees, while Mid Ulster experienced a rise of 1.7%. Meanwhile, the median monthly pay increased by 4.9% from a year earlier to £2,627. Growth in median pay was highest in the health and social work sector (+6.8%) and lowest in the finance and insurance sector (+3.1%).
2026-05-19
UK Payroll Employment Down 11K in March
The number of payrolled employees in the UK decreased by 11 thousand to 30.3 million in March 2026, after a revised 6 thousand fall in February. This marked the biggest monthly drop since November 2025, signaling renewed strain in the labour market as businesses continue to navigate the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict. On a yearly basis, employment was down by 0.2%, or 65 thousand. The largest decline was observed in the wholesale and retail sector (-57 thousand), while the biggest rise was seen in the health and social work sector (+41 thousand). Across NUTS3 regions, Westminster saw a 1.9% fall in payrolled employees, whereas Mid Ulster recorded a 2.3% increase. Meanwhile, the median monthly pay rose by 4.3% year-on-year to £2,599. Growth in median pay was highest in the public administration and defence sector (+7.5%) and lowest in the professional, scientific, and technical sector (+2.9%).
2026-04-21