Where the Jobs Still Are
The UK job market might be cooling off overall, but not everywhere and not for everyone. Some areas and sectors are quietly thriving, while others are taking a pause.
📉 Southern England has seen the biggest drop in permanent placements (KPMG & REC)
📈 The Midlands are holding steady – even showing mild gains in places (KPMG & REC)
🔨 Construction and Engineering are defying the slowdown thanks to government investment in infrastructure and housebuilding (KPMG & REC)
🩺 Healthcare continues to grow, adding 166,000 jobs in a year – more than any other sector (ONS Labour Market Overview – June 2025)
Retail, on the other hand, is having a tougher time. It saw the sharpest drop in hiring demand in June (KPMG & REC). For recruiters and job seekers alike, it's a reminder: pay attention to the where and what as much as the how much.