Job‑market salary slump hits an all‑time low—kind of a big mess?
Adzuna’s fresh data shows the size of advertised wages dipped for the first time in nine months. May paid the average advertised salary £38,765, a tiny drop of 0.1 % from April. Wage‑watchers are a bit perplexed because the economy’s been showing green‑light signs, but the numbers say otherwise.
Why the small decline? An influx of entry‑level gigs
Andrew Hunter, co‑founder of Adzuna, suspects the slump is a result of more junior positions popping up. “Teaching, travel and manufacturing saw the fewest boosts, but fresh teachers for the new school year were in high demand. Conversely, nursing spots took a nosedive,” he says. In plain English, firms are filling holes with lower‑pay, short‑stay roles.
Skills gap keeps tick‑talking the economy
- Dr. Adeshola Cole (CEO, Tritek Consulting): “We’re missing a truckload of young, diverse talent with AI and analytics skills. Apprenticeships and specialist courses should be the new government prima‑face.”
- Khalid Talukder (DKK Partners): “Fintech and AI are calling their names, but many brilliant minds are still on the sidelines. We need tax incentives, training and apprenticeships to get them on board.”
- Derek Mackenzie (Investigo): “In tough times, the national talent pipeline must be fueled by tech savviness. If companies can’t find AI, cyber‑security or analytics hires, they’ll stay stuck.”
Where are the jobs? The dream, the nightmare
- Cambridge ranks first for job seekers: just 0.34 jobseekers per vacancy. Too many pros in the “Cambridge valley” (and not the one in the book).
- Guildford and Exeter follow close behind.
- Bradford? It’s a nightmare: 7.94 jobseekers per vacancy. Even the cafés look dustier than usual.
In the grand scheme, the UK’s job market isn’t breaking the bank—there are still dozens of vacancies. But those who hold a key skill—AI, data‑science, cyber security—are hard to find. The real challenge? Making sure young talent walks through those doors.
