The UK labour market has seen a notable rebound in summer job vacancies, driven by a packed calendar of sporting and music events, according to a new report from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). The report, published on Monday, shows that the number of temporary and permanent job adverts in July was 12% higher than the same month last year, marking the strongest summer performance since 2019.
Event-driven hiring boost
The surge is largely attributed to major events such as the Wimbledon tennis championships, the British Grand Prix, and a series of high-profile concerts by international artists. These events have created thousands of roles in hospitality, security, and logistics, with employers in London and other host cities reporting difficulties in filling positions quickly.
According to the REC, the hospitality sector alone accounted for nearly a third of all summer job postings, with vacancies for chefs, waiting staff, and bar staff increasing by 25% compared to last year. Security roles also saw a significant uptick, with a 20% rise in adverts, as event organisers sought to ensure crowd safety.
Regional impact and sector trends
The report highlights that the bounce-back is not limited to London. Cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow, which hosted concert tours and sporting fixtures, experienced double-digit growth in job vacancies. In contrast, regions without major events saw more modest increases, suggesting that the event calendar is a key driver of the summer uptick.
Beyond events, the report notes a broader recovery in the jobs market, with permanent placements rising for the third consecutive month. However, starting salaries continue to grow at a slower pace, with the average increase now at 3.2%, down from 4.1% in the spring. The REC attributes this to a larger pool of available candidates, including students and recent graduates seeking temporary work.
Outlook for the remainder of the summer
Looking ahead, the REC expects the momentum to continue through August, with the Notting Hill Carnival and the final rounds of the cricket season expected to sustain demand. However, it warns that the end of the summer could bring a slowdown as event schedules wind down and the hospitality sector adjusts to lower demand.
Neil Carberry, chief executive of the REC, said: “The summer events calendar has provided a much-needed boost to the jobs market, with employers across the country hiring in large numbers to meet demand. This is a positive sign for the wider economy, but we need to ensure that the benefits are spread evenly across all regions and sectors.”
The report concludes that while the summer bounce is welcome, sustained investment in skills and infrastructure will be crucial to maintaining job growth in the longer term.
