REC Response to ONS Labour Market Figures, February 2026

Growth Elusive as Labour Market Loosens

Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “There are strong signs that the labour market is continuing to loosen as wage growth including bonuses has eased to 4.2% and the rate of unemployment has risen to 5.2%. “Wage growth is being propped up by the public sector and the number of unemployed people per vacancy now sits at 2.6, the highest in…

REC response to ONS labour market figures, February 2026

Published byREC17 Feb 2026|OpinionREC response to ONS labour market figures, February 2026The ONS published its latest labour market figures this morning. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Chief Executive Neil Carberry said:“There are no surprises in today’s data as unemployment continues to rise and pay falls back to long-term norms. Nothing here should slow the Monetary Policy Committee on its interest rate path. “There is som…

Labour market stats response, February 2026

Every month, Learning and Work Institute produces detailed and timely analysis of the latest labour market statistics from ONS. Become a supporter to receive our monthly labour market briefing delivered to your inbox and navigate our labour market dashboard. Responding to the labour market stats release by ONS on 17 February 2026, Stephen Evans, Chief Executive at Learning and Work Institute, said: “Low economic growth and rising employer costs …

Growth Elusive As Labour Market Loosens  - British Chambers of Commerce

Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:   “There are strong signs that the labour market is continuing to loosen as wage growth including bonuses has eased to 4.2% and the rate of unemployment has risen to 5.2%.   “Wage growth is being propped up by the public sector and the number of unemployed people per vacancy now sits at 2.6, the highes…