FX.co ★ UK Payroll Employment Down 38K in November

The number of employees on payrolls in the United Kingdom saw a decline of 38,000, which equates to a 0.1% decrease, reaching 30.3 million in November 2025. This follows a revised reduction of 22,000 from the previous month. This pattern represents the third consecutive monthly drop and is the most pronounced since November 2020. When compared to the same period in the previous year, payrolled employment decreased by 0.6%, accounting for a total decrease of 171,000 employees.

The wholesale and retail sector experienced the most significant decline, shedding 70,000 employees, while the health and social work sector observed the greatest growth, adding 31,000 employees. In terms of geographic regions delineated by NUTS3, Westminster experienced the largest decrease in payrolled employees, with a 2.9% reduction, whereas Mid Ulster saw the most notable increase, with a growth rate of 2.1%.

In contrast, the median monthly pay experienced an increase, rising by 2.7% year-on-year to £2,543. The wholesale and retail sector noted the highest wage growth at 6.2%, while the education sector saw the most significant decline in pay, dropping by 3.3%.