The number of payrolled employees in the UK fell by 55,000, or 0.2 per cent, between March and April 2025, and by 115,000, or 0.4 per cent, over the year to April 2025, data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed on Tuesday. The UK jobless rate for individuals aged 16 and over was calculated at 4.6 per cent in the period from February to April 2025. This figure is higher than the estimates from a year ago and has increased in the most recent quarter, according to the announcement. UK job vacancies fell by 63,000 in March to May 2025, marking the 35th consecutive quarterly decline. Vacancies were 59,000 below their pre-pandemic level. Some firms are not hiring new workers or replacing those who have left. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama Download