The main findings for August 2026 from the latest UK Report on Jobs, sponsored by KPMG and the REC (Recruitment & Employment Confederation), are as follows (the full report is available on request – just email me at c.booth@swindaleparks.co.uk and I’ll send you a copy):
The Report on Jobs is unique in providing the most comprehensive guide to the UK labour market, drawing on original survey data provided by recruitment consultancies and employers to provide the first indication each month of labour market trends.
The main findings for August are:
Recruiters signal fresh rise in permanent staff appointments while temp billings expand solidly
Permanent staff appointments across the UK rose for the first time since September 2022 in August. The uptick was often linked to an improvement in market confidence and company’s efforts to expand capacity. However, uncertainty regarding the economic outlook and government policy reportedly dampened the rate of expansion, which was marginal overall. Temp billings meanwhile rose at a stronger pace that was the second quickest in over three years, driven by a preference for short-term staff and greater amounts of contract work.
Solid growth in starting salaries and temp pay
Competition for highly skilled candidates and those with niche skills as well as rising living costs, drove further increases in starting pay for both permanent and temporary workers in August. The rise in salaries was the quickest since January, while the rate of temp wage growth was among the strongest seen over the past two years.
Availability of staff rises at quicker pace...
The number of people seeking new employment rose at the sharpest rate for three months in August. Redundancies remained a prominent theme when recruiters commented on the latest increases in availability, but also fewer job opportunities and concerns over current job security. Permanent labour supply continued to rise more sharply than that seen for temporary candidates, with the latter posting the second-softest rise in over three years.
...as vacancies continue to decline
Overall demand for staff fell for the thirty-fourth month in a row in August. Though solid, the rate of contraction was the second weakest in nearly two years, having accelerated only slightly from July. Permanent vacancies fell at a solid pace that was unchanged from July, while demand for short-term staff fell following a brief rise in the previous month.
Hopefully this will provide you with a useful insight into a myriad of critical recruitment topics including hiring activity, candidate availability and salaries. As you strive to keep your current employees happy and attract the best new talent to help your company grow you may find some of the content very useful.
If you want to discuss any of the above or any other recruitment-related issues, then please don’t hesitate to contact Carl Booth on 07766552676.
Swindale Parks Recruitment is over 30 years old – we have lots of hiring experience to share.