The wider UK labour market has been quiet, but the picture is starting to turn. Permanent placements have finally stabilised, ending a decline that had run for 45 months since Liz Truss's premiership, while temporary billings increased for a fourth consecutive month the REC and KPMG Report on Jobs. That is a clear signal that confidence is returning to hiring plans.
The market is still measured. The labour market is currently described as 'low hire, low fire', with weaker recruitment but only slight increases in redundancies, and vacancies have dropped below pre-pandemic levels the Low Pay Commission Report 2025. Early estimates for May to July 2026 suggest a decrease of 6,000 (0.8%) vacancies to 707,000 across the UK compared with February to April 2026 ONS vacancies data for August 2026. For finance teams, a calmer market is a chance to plan, not a reason to pause.
In financial services, the demand is concentrated at the senior and qualified end. In the financial-services sector, recruitment was generally for Regulatory Qualification Framework (RQF) 6+ roles, rather than RQF 3 to 5 the GOV.UK Temporary Shortage List: Stage 2 report. RQF 6+ covers degree-level and professional roles, so think qualified accountants, compliance and risk specialists, and experienced finance managers.
The professional services end of the market is also holding up better than most. In August to October 2025, the largest volume increase in vacancies was in the professional, scientific and technical activities sector, which rose by 5,000 ONS vacancies data for November 2025. With there being 2.5 unemployed people per vacancy in March to May 2026 the ONS Vacancies and jobs in the UK bulletin, employers have a wider pool to choose from, but the qualified specialists you actually need are still in short supply.
Plan ahead while the market is calm. Total estimated vacancies were down by 76,000 (9.5%) in December 2025 to February 2026 from a year earlier ONS vacancies data for March 2026, which means less competition for the right person today than you are likely to face once hiring picks up. Map the roles you will need over the next two quarters and start building a pipeline now.
Be specific about qualifications. Because demand sits at RQF 6+ the GOV.UK Temporary Shortage List: Stage 2 report, write job descriptions that name the exact certifications, regulatory experience and systems you expect. Clear criteria help you filter a wide applicant pool fast and keep your shortlist focused on people who can do the job from day one. Then move quickly: when temporary billings are rising the REC and KPMG Report on Jobs, the best qualified people do not stay available for long.
The right tool helps you move fast while the market is calm. Reed.ai searches a database of 15 million candidates, ranks a shortlist of the people who fit your brief, and manages the process end to end, from first contact to a booked interview. Our recruitment agent manages recruitment end to end for 8% on a successful hire, with no monthly fee and no upfront cost. The fee reflects the value of finding the right qualified person and handling your recruitment from start to finish. Tell us the finance role you need, and we will start building your shortlist today.
