UK unemployment remains at four-year high, vacancies fall

(Sharecast News) - The UK unemployment rate was steady at a four-year high in three months to June, while vacancies fell, according to figures released on Tuesday by the Office for National Statistics. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.7%. Meanwhile, average earnings growth excluding bonuses was unchanged at 5%, while total pay growth including bonuses was 4.6%, down from 5.0%.

The data also showed that the estimated number of vacancies fell by 44,000 on the quarter, to 718,000, in May to July 2025. This was the 37th consecutive period where vacancy numbers dropped compared with the previous three months, with vacancies falling in 16 of the 18 industry sectors.

The early estimate of payrolled employees for July fell by 164,000 on the year, and by 8,000 on the month, to 30.3m.

ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: "Taken together, these latest figures point to a continued cooling of the labour market.

"The number of employees on payroll has now fallen in 10 of the last 12 months, with these falls concentrated in hospitality and retail.

"Job vacancies, likewise, have continued to fall, also driven by fewer opportunities in these industries."