The number of payrolled employees in the UK rose by 13,000 (0.04%) to 30.3 million in September 2026, following a revised increase of 1,000 in the previous month. This marked the largest monthly gain since August 2025. However, compared with a year earlier, total employment was down 0.2%, or 66,000 employees.
By sector, employment grew most strongly in administrative and support services, which added 66,000 employees, while the wholesale and retail sector saw the largest fall, losing 71,000 employees.
At the regional level (NUTS3), Derry City and Strabane recorded a 1.4% increase in payrolled employees, whereas Camden and the City of London posted a 1.7% decline.
Median monthly pay increased by 4.4% year-on-year to £2,660. Among sectors, median pay growth was strongest in other service activities (5.6%) and weakest in transportation and storage (1.8%).
