Wondering what’s shaping the job market right now? We break down the top five stories you need to know this month, plus what they mean for businesses, recruiters, and job seekers alike.
July’s job market is an optimistic one, with new reports showing increases in UK job postings as well as more confidence from employers when it comes to hiring. More expansion plans come into effect, creating thousands of new jobs across the country, from entry-level to specialised positions.
In addition, we look at how employers are attracting more staff, and proposed legislation in response to the back-to-back heat waves experienced in the UK this summer.
June sees surge in UK job postings and temp hiring
Earlier this month, CV Library posted its Q2 2026 Labour Market Insights, a quarterly report covering various areas of the UK job market. June recorded a 21% surge in job postings, the highest level for June since 2023.
The report continues to discuss how 51% of businesses anticipate their staff numbers to grow over the next 6 months, showing that confidence in hiring is steadily growing, despite imbalances earlier in the year and the rising costs of employing staff.
Additionally, a new report from KPMG and REC UK shows a 3-year high in temp hiring while permanent hiring continues to decline. The data suggests continued caution from employers when it comes to hiring long-term due to geopolitical uncertainty and a fluctuating economy, but with a new priority toward short-term staffing.
Tech company to create 1,200 UK jobs
Global Technology company Hexaware Technologies has announced the creation of 1,200 jobs as part of its £25 million UK expansion over the next 3 to 5 years. The expansion will increase its current delivery centre operations in Birmingham, as well as open two new research and development centres in Manchester and Leeds. The company plans to target developing local talent, and the new roles are expected to focus on fields such as AI, digital services, and quantum computing.
The investment was announced by the UK Government in early June during the G7 summit as part of wider commitments to the UK’s development of AI, technology and clean energy.
Aldi launches recruitment drive for entry-level workers
The supermarket Aldi has announced a recruitment drive of 450 store assistants as part of its £370m UK expansion plans. The roles will be entry-level with no formal qualifications required to apply. Aldi’s UK recruitment director, Kelly Stokes, advised that the roles would offer excellent training and development for career progression, and they are primarily looking for candidates who are friendly and confident working with numbers.
As well as 40 new locations set to open in 2026 under the new expansion plan, Aldi is also upgrading 25 existing shops, including branches in Pitsea, Musselburgh, Kingston upon Thames, and Stockton.
EV schemes credited for attracting and retaining staff
A new EV Employer survey for 2026 has shown that 48% of employers now consider their company’s EV salary sacrifice scheme as a significant tool in attracting and retaining staff in the current job market. The new survey from vehicle leasing company Tusker corresponds with their 2025 EV Driver survey, which stated that 27% of employees with an EV said ‘having access to a salary sacrifice scheme made them more likely to stay with their current employer.”
The survey highlighted the main reasons identified by employers for implementing an EV salary sacrifice scheme as enabling employee savings, creating an affordable option into driving electric, and generating employer national insurance savings.
Maximum workplace temperature bill proposed in Parliament
Green Party MP, Hannah Spencer, has proposed a new bill aimed at specifying a maximum and minimum temperature for work conditions, following concern about the frequent heatwaves in the UK. The legislation comes after unions, such as Unison and the Trades Union Congress, advocated for clearer legal protections for workers; specifically, a maximum indoor temperature of 30C, or 27C for employees carrying out strenuous work.
The new legislation would protect workers such as tradespeople, transport workers, and construction workers. However, it has been argued that a maximum temperature would be hard to impose, as excessive workplace heat is not always caused by the weather, such as employees working near ovens and other machinery.
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