The UK unemployment rate increased to 5.1% in the three months to October, up from 5% in the previous period, according to official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The data also shows a decline in employment, with the number of people on company payrolls falling by 0.5% over the past year to October 2025. The ONS said the figures point to a subdued labour market, reflecting ongoing economic pressures affecting hiring and job security across the country.
These trends suggest continued challenges for the UK workforce as economic uncertainty weighs on employers’ recruitment decisions.
