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%).

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%).

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%).