Earnings and employment from Pay As You Earn Real Time Information, UK

Earnings and employment from Pay As You Earn Real Time Information, UK

9. Data sources and quality Data source and collectionThe data for this release come from HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC's) Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Real Time Information (RTI) system. They cover the whole population rather than a sample of people or companies, and they will allow for more detailed estimates of the population. More information on the quality of the data and the steps we take to quality assure it can be found in our Quality assurance of administrative used in earnings and employment from PAYE RTI methodology.Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of...
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China’s jobs crunch is eroding the value of UK master’s degrees

Some Chinese students and families have become increasingly sceptical about the value of a UK master’s degree. Compared with programmes in the US, Australia and Canada, UK master’s courses are typically completed in just one year, leading some to question whether there is sufficient time for teaching, research and the development of deeper subject knowledge. In addition, relatively accessible entry requirements for some programmes have raised concerns among Chinese families and employers about the quality and prestige of certain UK master’s degrees. UK universities’ reliance on income from international students is well known – and around one-fifth of the total revenue from that source is accounted for by students from China. Unsurprisingly, then, their steep decline is causing a lot of concern – particularly given increasing visa rejection rates from other major source countries. In a 2025 survey by the British Universities International Liaison Association, 80 per cent of institutions reported a decline in postgraduate applications from China, with an average drop...
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Number of UK job vacancies increased in May

Number of UK job vacancies increased in May

The UK jobs market showed signs of resilience in May despite continuing economic and political uncertainty, with the number of active job vacancies rising modestly. According to the latest Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Labour Market Tracker, there were 1.62 million active job postings across the UK in May, up 0.8% from April and 8% higher than a year earlier. The figures suggest that demand for workers remains relatively stable despite concerns over global tensions, rising employment costs and changes to labour market regulation. However, the number of newly advertised roles fell during the month. New job postings totalled 683,121 in May, down 4% compared with April and 9.2% lower than the same month last year, indicating that employers remain cautious about expanding their workforce. The REC said the overall level of active vacancies had returned to a similar position to that seen in March, suggesting the labour market may be stabilising after recent fluctuations. While most parts of the UK recorded growth in...
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June 2026 UK Labour Market Update: Job Postings Continue to Slide

June 2026 UK Labour Market Update: Job Postings Continue to Slide

Persistently weak hiring demand continues to weigh on the UK labour market. Key points: UK job postings have taken another leg down in recent weeks. Weakening has been broad-based across categories. Posted wage growth is down from peaks, but still solid. Our Labour Market Updates examine important trends using Indeed and other labour market data. Our European Labour Market Overview chartbook provides a more comprehensive view of the European labour market. Other data, including the Indeed Wage Tracker, is regularly updated and can be accessed on our data portal. The UK labour market continues to weaken amid persistently sluggish hiring demand. Though the latest official statistics don’t yet suggest the gradual weakening is turning into a bigger jobs shakeout, employers are maintaining a cautious approach, and there remain few signs that a meaningful improvement is arriving any time soon.  Spotlight: UK job postings have continued to slide   Hiring demand has continued to soften in recent weeks. Through 12 June, UK job postings were down around 5% in the...
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University of Sussex staff vote in favour of strike over job cuts

University of Sussex staff vote in favour of strike over job cuts

University of Sussex staff have voted to go on strike in a dispute over plans to cut about 200 jobs.Members of the University and College Union (UCU) backed industrial action by 81%, with a turnout of 70% in a ballot that closed on Thursday.The union said the result showed staff were prepared to fight to protect jobs and student provision.The university said the proposed cuts were needed to save £35 million a year, with vice-chancellor Prof Sasha Roseneil calling the situation "regrettable" but adding "very difficult decisions" were needed.Jo Pawlik, president of the Sussex UCU branch, said: "This strong support for strike action shows Sussex staff will fight to protect our jobs and our student provision.""UCU members are the university, now more than ever we need to stand together as a union," she added. Source link...
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More oil and gas workers to be supported into jobs

More oil and gas workers to be supported into jobs

Over a thousand more oil and gas workers to get tailored support to move into new growing industries, from clean energy to advanced manufacturing Comes as UK and Scottish governments invest a total of £6 million to expand a successful skills programme that has already helped over 400 North Sea workers retrain The expanded scheme will now open to more workers across Scotland, offering the skills needed to access thousands of high-quality jobs in a range of fast-expanding sectors Over a thousand more oil and gas workers will benefit from tailored career support to access good, well-paid jobs in clean energy and other growth sectors, as a successful skills programme is expanded across Scotland.   Backed by a total of £6 million from UK and Scottish governments, the expansion follows a successful pilot scheme in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire - which has helped over 400 North Sea workers retrain for roles in Scotland’s energy transition.  Following popular demand, the new scheme will give current and former oil and gas workers living anywhere in Scotland specialist training support, if they wish to transfer their high-value skills into fast-expanding sectors under the energy transition.   The expansion follows the government’s plans, announced last year, to continue to use the North Sea for decades to come, by managing existing oil and gas fields for their lifetime...
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British firms to get £3,000 for every long-term jobless youngster they hire | Youth unemployment

British firms to get £3,000 for every long-term jobless youngster they hire | Youth unemployment

Employers in Great Britain will be given £3,000 for every long-term unemployed young person they hire under government plans to reduce the welfare bill and joblessness.The scheme, which will be available to firms from Tuesday, is aimed at helping 60,000 people aged 18-24 enter work over the next three years.Employers in England, Scotland and Wales can access the grant if they take on an eligible young person who has been out of work for six months or more.Labour has faced fierce criticism from opposition leaders and business groups who say its policy decisions, including the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions and a rising minimum wage, have added to Britain’s crisis in youth jobs.A government-commissioned report by the former minister Alan Milburn recently found the UK was an outlier, with 1 million people aged 16 to 24 – about one in eight – not in employment, education or training (Neet).A decade ago the Neet rate in Britain was near the...
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Funding for businesses who give youngsters a chance as Government ramps up youth jobs drive

Funding for businesses who give youngsters a chance as Government ramps up youth jobs drive

From tomorrow, employers can claim £3,000 if they take on an eligible young person who has been out of work for six months. Attractions giant Merlin Entertainments – which is also participating in the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme – is one of the first major backers of the grant and will offer 300 jobs for young people as part of the Youth Guarantee. This comes as almost one million young people will benefit from more intensive, tailored support in jobcentres. From tomorrow (Tuesday 30 June 2026) businesses can access the new Youth Jobs Grant, which will pay £3,000 for every eligible young person they hire – helping thousands more young people take their first step on the career ladder. It is a major investment in the next generation, helping up to 60,000 people aged 18 to 24 take their first steps into work over the next three years. The grant is being...
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Why the graduate jobs crisis demands urgent action

Why the graduate jobs crisis demands urgent action

Join HEPI, Kaplan and London Economics for a webinar on Thursday 9 July 2026, from 12pm to 1pm, launching new research on the economic costs and benefits of international students, including for the first time estimates broken down by parliamentary constituency using students’ actual residential locations. The session will explore the latest evidence on the gross and net economic impact of international students across the UK and what the findings mean for policymakers, institutions and local communities. Register now.This blog was kindly authored by Ava Doherty, an undergraduate at the University of Oxford.Following reports that 2024 and 2025 mark the worst years for UK graduates entering the job market, it’s time to address why this crisis is deepening and what policymakers must do about it.My generation was sold a simple promise: work hard, earn a degree from a ‘good university’, and employment would follow. Instead, we face a perfect storm that policymakers have largely ignored.The graduate employment crisis stems from...
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Delivery drivers and couriers: Most in demand jobs in UK revealed – and the locations where vacancies are rising the most

Delivery drivers and couriers: Most in demand jobs in UK revealed – and the locations where vacancies are rising the most

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