Employment and job openings · United Kingdom
United Kingdom Employment Change
The United Kingdom Employment Change measures the change in the number of people employed in the United Kingdom, or the demand for workers (job openings, advertisements, layoffs announced).
- Importance
- High
- Released
- Monthly
- Next release
- Currency
- GBP · pound sterling
- Central bank
- The Bank of England
Latest figures
The latest release for AUG, published on 20 October 2026, came in at 102K, above the consensus of 20K, up from 67K the time before.
A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the pound sterling and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Over the last 12 releases it ranged from -22K to 148K, averaging 71K.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 2026 | AUG | 102K | 20K | 67K |
| 15 Sep 2026 | JUL | 67K | – | 83K |
| 18 Aug 2026 | JUN | 83K | – | 147K |
| 21 Jul 2026 | MAY | 147K | 85.0K | 99K ® |
| 18 Jun 2026 | APR | 100K | 75K | 148K |
| 19 May 2026 | MAR | 148K | 107K | 24K ® |
| 21 Apr 2026 | FEB | 25K | – | 84K |
| 19 Mar 2026 | JAN | 84K | -4K | 52K |
| 17 Feb 2026 | DEC | 52K | – | 82K |
| 20 Jan 2026 | NOV | 82K | 27K | -16K |
| 16 Dec 2025 | OCT | -16K | – | -22K |
| 11 Nov 2025 | SEP | -22K | – | 91K |
Why it matters
Jobs drive income and spending, and a tight labour market pushes wages and inflation up. the Bank of England watches employment closely, so strong figures support the pound sterling and weak ones raise the odds of rate cuts. Full-time jobs carry more weight than part-time.
How it is calculated
Most countries count employment from a household labour force survey; job openings come from employer surveys or job-board data; announced job cuts are tallied from company statements.
What changes mean
- Compare with the consensus and with population growth.
- Openings falling while employment holds up is the "soft landing" pattern central banks hope for.
- Quits rising means workers are confident they can find better-paid jobs: wage pressure ahead.
Higher than expected: A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the pound sterling and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Lower than expected: A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the pound sterling tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
A short history
Labour force surveys spread after the Second World War, following the US Current Population Survey (1940s); the US job openings survey (JOLTS) began in 2000.
Questions
What is the United Kingdom Employment Change?
The United Kingdom Employment Change measures the change in the number of people employed in the United Kingdom, or the demand for workers (job openings, advertisements, layoffs announced).
What was the latest United Kingdom Employment Change?
102K for AUG, published on 20 October 2026 (consensus 20K, previous 67K).
When is the next United Kingdom Employment Change?
On Tuesday 17 November 2026 at 07:00 UTC.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.