The number of payrolled employees in the UK fell by 4,000 to 30.3 million in June 2026, following an upwardly revised increase of 3,000 in May. On an annual basis, employment declined by 0.2%, or 71,000, underscoring ongoing weakness in hiring.
By sector, accommodation and food services saw the largest annual drop in payroll employment, losing 79,000 jobs. In contrast, health and social work recorded the biggest gain, adding 39,000 employees.
At the NUTS3 regional level, Westminster posted a 2.0% decline in payrolled employees, while Mid Ulster recorded growth of 2.1%.
Median monthly pay increased by 4.3% year-on-year to £2,632, slowing from a 4.6% rise in May. Pay growth was strongest in health and social work (+6.2%) and weakest in education (+3.5%).
