"Redundancies have risen by 67.8% year-on-year—increasing to 99,000 from 59,000, the proportion of long-term unemployment has grown significantly, and the unemployment rate has climbed to 4.3%. These developments reflect a fundamental structural adjustment in labour market conditions rather than a temporary fluctuation.

"The data include concerning structural changes: prolonged unemployment durations, a rise in temporary workers unable to secure permanent roles, and businesses actively reducing their workforce through redundancies. While the slight decline in economic inactivity might appear encouraging, the Office for National Statistics has emphasised the importance of consulting multiple data sources (e.g., PAYE, Workforce Jobs, and LFS), to obtain a comprehensive view.

"These alternative datasets suggest more constrained employment growth than the headline LFS figures imply, reinforcing the substantive nature of these pressures. Looking ahead, the unemployment rate is likely to increase further, driven by rising redundancies and the shifting composition of unemployment toward longer durations. While the recent decline in economic inactivity could provide some buffer, the overall trajectory points toward increasing labour market strain in the coming months."