UK Payroll Employment Rises in February

The number of payrolled employees in the United Kingdom rose by 20 thousand, or 0.1% to 30.3 million in February 2026, following a revised 6 thousand increase in January. Compared with the corresponding month a year ago, payrolled employment fell by 0.2%, or 49 thousand. The biggest drop was seen in the wholesale and retail sector (-49 thousand), while the largest increase was in the health and social work sector (+42 thousand). Across NUTS3 regions, Westminster experienced a 2.4% decrease in payrolled employees, whereas Mid Ulster saw a 2.7% rise. Meanwhile, the median monthly pay increased by 4.1% year-on-year to £2,586. The highest growth in median pay was recorded in the public administration and defence sector (+8.3%), while the sharpest fall was in the finance and insurance sector (-2.9%).

The number of payrolled employees in the United Kingdom fell by 11 thousand to 30.3 million in January 2026, following a downwardly revised 6 thousand drop in the previous month. This marked the fifth straight month of decline. Compared with the same month last year, payrolled employment dropped by 0.4%, or 134 thousand. The largest decrease was recorded in the wholesale and retail sector (-65 thousand), while the biggest rise was in the health and social work sector (+39 thousand). Across NUTS3 regions, Westminster saw a 2.7% fall in payrolled employees, whereas Mid Ulster registered a 2.3% increase. Meanwhile, the median monthly pay rose by 4.6% year-on-year to £2,588. Growth in median pay was highest in the wholesale and retail sector (+6.2%) and lowest in the finance and insurance sector (+2.1%).

The number of payrolled employees in the United Kingdom dropped by 43 thousand, or 0.1% to 30.2 million in December 2025, following a revised 33 thousand fall in the previous month. This was the fourth consecutive monthly decline and the sharpest since November 2020. Compared with the same month a year earlier, payrolled employment decreased by 0.6%, or 184 thousand. The biggest fall was recorded in the wholesale and retail sector (-72 thousand), while the largest increase was in the health and social work sector (+37 thousand). Across NUTS3 regions, Westminster registered a 3% drop in payrolled employees, whereas Mid Ulster saw a 2% rise. Meanwhile, the median monthly pay increased by 4% year-on-year to £2,555. Growth in median pay was highest in the wholesale and retail sector (+5.9%) and lowest in the education sector (+1.4%).