UK Employment Survey Indicates Shift in Hiring Trends

A recent survey closely monitored by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee reveals a slowdown in the reduction of long-term job recruitment by employers in January, marking the lowest rate in 18 months. According to Jin10, the study conducted by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) also indicates that companies have increased the deployment of temporary workers for the first time since October last year. Neil Carberry, CEO of REC, commented, "As we enter 2026, there are growing signs that uncertainty in hiring plans is translating into action. This does not imply a full recovery in recruitment, but the 'wait-and-see' period seems to be nearing its end." The REC report further supports the notion that the UK economy is experiencing a turnaround in 2026. Recent surveys by S&P show that the pace of business expansion in January reached a 17-month high, while a report from the Institute of Directors highlights increased optimism among business leaders regarding sales, recruitment, and investment prospects.