The latest data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) in the Labour Market in the regions: April 2025 revealed there were 84,000 jobs vacant in the period January to March 2025 – down from 107,000 in the same period in 2024.
The complicated picture also showed vacancies were down from the previous quarter (October to December 2024) by 4,000 or 4.6%.
UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “The most recent ONS data demonstrates the two different realities for hospitality and its ability to support employment.
Relentless focus
She added: “The reduction in vacancies by more than 20,000 over the past year is testament to the sector’s relentless focus on recruitment and retention, including apprenticeship opportunities, the introduction of hospitality SWAPs and dedication to our workplace culture and employee’s wellbeing.”
She also said cost pressures, particularly the increase to employer national insurance contributions, have forced businesses to turn off the tap on recruitment.
“This means that recently, in many instances, rather than a job being filled, it’s a job being taken off the market,” Nicholls added.
“As one of the biggest employers in the country, the Government must harness the power of hospitality to support employment and empower it to do so, rather than continually add more cost that constraints its potential.”
Vacancies down
In September 2024 it was revealed the number of vacancies in the sector fell to under 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic.
The ONS data also revealed an overall picture of employment in the UK with people on the payroll down, vacancies down while real wages are in growth.
It reported payrolled employee numbers in the UK fell by 21,000 (0.1%) over the quarter to the end of February but rose by 50,000 (0.2%) over the year, when looking at December 2024 to February 2025.
The UK employment rate for people aged 16 to 64 years was estimated at 75.1% in December 2024 to February 2025. This is above estimates of a year ago and up in the latest quarter.
British Beer & Pub Association Emma McClarkin said: “The beer and pub sector supports more than 1m jobs and is the backbone of the job market in many local communities across the UK. However, we know the April cliff-edge and Autumn Budget measures are having serious consequences on investment and jobs.
“[The] Government must look at mitigating the severe impact of employment costs so that the industry can not only protect existing local jobs, but keep giving more people fantastic career opportunities.”
