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%).

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%).