The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered her Mansion House speech on Tuesday (15^th July). The speech usually sets out government plans for the financial services industry, an industry that not only is an important one for the country in revenue and export terms, but also which underpins the wider economy.

We are delighted to bring you the Populus June 2025 recruitment UK market bulletin. With an overview of the market, what it means on the ground, and 3 recommendations whether you are an employer or a candidate.

As an overview, the state of the UK labour market in the first 6 months of 2025 is at best described as functioning. There are many indications that the market is cooling demonstrated by falling vacancies, with a 63,000 fall and a small decrease of 55,000 in the number of payrolled employees, plus a slight rise in unemployment. This cooling trend is also reflected in reduced hiring activity by employers.

At a time when the global political and economic environment is volatile the North East Shadow Monetary Policy Committee, comprising business leaders in the NE, met a week before the Bank of England’s MPC to discuss their take on the current economic situation and to vote on what they think the BoE should do with interest rates

It’s become a commonplace to hear that the consumer will lose out by paying higher prices for goods under new protectionism. It’s harder to ascertain what groups in the labour market might have problems now that tariffs have become part of the US administration’s international relations toolkit.

The budget marks a shift towards investment in skills, health, and infrastructure, addressing low productivity, labour shortages, and regional disparities.

Recent data shows that UK businesses are actively hiring – for the right candidates - with nearly two in five business leaders hoping to increase headcount in 2025. These companies are playing the long game by focusing on strategic hires to position themselves to make the most of the economic bounce back.

The budget marks a shift towards investment in skills, health, and infrastructure, addressing low productivity, labour shortages, and regional disparities.

Movember is here, and Populus proudly participates by “Moving for Movember’” to support men’s health initiatives.

We’re proud to support Trees for Life in rewilding the Scottish Highlands, fostering biodiversity, and restoring native species. As a “Juniper Partner”, our recruitment placements contribute directly to this vital project. Learn more about how we’re helping to reconnect people with nature.

The UK must adopt a robust industrial strategy, learning from global leaders, to rejuvenate manufacturing, drive innovation, and ensure economic resilience.

Diversity drives innovation, agility, and financial performance by fostering diverse perspectives, improving inclusivity, and adapting to evolving business environments., agility, and financial performance by fostering diverse perspectives, improving inclusivity, and adapting to evolving business environments.

Specialist recruitment firm Populus Select has promoted James Smith to Operations Director as it continues to grow its head count, thanks to new contracts with cutting-edge science-based businesses across the world.