The number of job vacancies in the UK fell for the fifth month in a row in November as employers became increasingly cautious ahead of the autumn budget. This emerges from new figures that underline the increasing fragility of the labor market.
Data from Adzuna showed a 6.4 percent decline in advertised jobs from the previous month, with the total number of job vacancies falling to 745,448. Compared to November last year, vacancies fell by 15 percent – the largest annual decline recorded so far in 2025.
November is typically a strong month for recruiting, especially as companies hire new employees ahead of the holiday shopping season. However, weeks of speculation about possible tax increases appear to have caused companies to postpone or cancel hiring plans, contributing to what Adzuna described as one of the most difficult environments for job seekers in recent years.
Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna, said the figures reflected a significant shift in employer behavior. “November is historically a strong hiring month, so this recent decline is further evidence that employers are playing it safe,” he said. “The Autumn Budget created additional uncertainty as we entered the festive season and this has placed a heavy burden on hiring decisions.”
The decline was particularly strong among young professionals. Adzuna reported a 24 per cent fall in entry-level job vacancies, reaching their lowest level since 2021. The company said youth unemployment in the UK is currently rising at the fastest rate among G7 economies.
Official figures released by the Office for National Statistics earlier this month showed the unemployment rate rose to 5.1 per cent in the three months to October – the highest level since the pandemic. The ONS also confirmed that the UK economy contracted by 0.1 percent in October, adding to concerns about weaker demand.
The deteriorating outlook helped prompt the Bank of England to cut interest rates from 4 percent to 3.75 percent in a bid to boost growth and support employment.
Competition for vacancies has increased as the number of vacancies declines. Adzuna estimates that there are now more than two candidates for every advertised position, which increases the pressure on applicants in most industries.
According to Adzuna data, advertised wage growth remains at more than 7 percent. However, this contrasts with the ONS’ official pay figures, which show private sector wages rising by around 3 per cent – suggesting a discrepancy between advertised salaries and actual earnings growth.
Industry-level data suggests particularly sharp cuts in logistics, where vacancies fell by almost 15 percent over the month. Retail jobs fell 5 percent, reflecting weak consumer demand at a critical time of year.
Retailers will be hoping for a late spending boost to salvage the Christmas period, but the ONS reported last week that retail sales fell 0.1 percent in November despite Black Friday falling in the month – a worrying sign for a sector heavily reliant on year-end trade.
As job vacancies continue to fall and employers remain cautious, economists warn that the labor market could remain under pressure in the new year unless confidence improves and demand recovers.
