Data from Robert Half suggests that after months of caution, employers are showing renewed confidence in hiring. While economic uncertainty continues to weigh on hiring decisions, Q2 data points to a more resilient recruitment market than at the start of the year. According to the data, professional hiring across core UK sectors increased between Q1 (January to March) and Q2 (April to June), despite annual declines.
IT recorded the sharpest quarterly increase, with vacancies up 42 per cent between Q1 and Q2 2026, despite a 20 per cent year-on-year fall in June. Manufacturing was one of only a handful of sectors to report both quarterly and annual growth. Vacancies increased by 18 per cent between Q1 and Q2 and were also up 21 per cent year-on-year in June, suggesting stronger and more sustained demand for talent across the sector.
Logistics and utilities also reported positive movement on both measures. Logistics vacancies rose by 24 per cent between Q1 and Q2, while utilities increased by 21 per cent over the same period. Both sectors also recorded 6 per cent year-on-year growth in June.
This more positive quarterly performance suggests that confidence is returning in some areas of the market, even as annual comparisons remain subdued.
“While year-on-year vacancy levels remain lower across many professional sectors, the quarterly data points to a more resilient recruitment market than earlier in the year,” Phil Boden, Market Director at Robert Half commented. “Employers continue to navigate economic uncertainty, but increased hiring activity across a number of sectors suggests demand for talent remains present where organisations have critical skills needs.
“The rise in IT vacancies during Q2 is particularly notable, although activity remains below last year’s levels. Manufacturing, logistics and utilities also recorded stronger demand over the quarter, highlighting continued recruitment activity in sectors that play an important role in supporting day-to-day operations and infrastructure,” added Boden.
