Britain's job vacancies have surpassed one million for the first time on record, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The food and accommodation sector saw the largest increase, with 57,600 more vacancies in August. However, experts warn that the 1.5 million workers still on furlough are unlikely to fill these roles due to skill shortages, geographic mismatches, and perceptions that the jobs are 'not for them'.
A survey by the British Chamber of Commerce found that one in five businesses plan to make furloughed staff redundant when the scheme ends on September 30. Despite this, many sectors report severe recruitment difficulties. Ali Capper, chair of British Apples and Pears, said her industry is facing a crisis, with farms running 10-35% short of labour. She noted that advertised fruit-picking roles attracted few local applicants, and the seasonal workers pilot scheme bringing 30,000 workers is insufficient.
Daniel Browne, owner of Blossom and Browne Sycamore, a laundry service with a royal warrant, said his business is struggling to find staff despite raising wages to £15 per hour for roles previously paying £9. He attributed the shortage to Brexit and warned that he may have to downsize. Meanwhile, Will Capper of job-hunting firm DirectlyApply noted that many furloughed workers may find their old jobs no longer exist, particularly in leisure, hospitality, and retail.
The number of workers on payrolls rose by 241,000 between July and August, now 1,000 above pre-pandemic levels. However, businesses across sectors continue to report significant labour gaps, with concerns mounting ahead of the Christmas period.
