Temporary Workforce Grows as Employers Balance Flexibility and Demand

The latest ONS labour market data shows continued growth in the UK’s temporary workforce, offering a positive signal amid wider economic uncertainty. Over the past year, the number of temporary employees has risen steadily – up from 1.51 million in late 2023 to 1.60 million as of April 2025. That’s an increase of over 85,000 workers, with temporary roles now accounting for 5.4% of all employees – the highest proportion seen in over a year.

This steady growth in temporary work suggests many businesses are continuing to value flexible hiring models as they navigate market conditions, with temp and contract recruitment providing an effective way to access talent while managing longer-term commitments. Encouragingly, the data also shows that a large portion of temporary workers are choosing these roles by preference, rather than out of necessity – further underlining the ongoing shift towards more agile workforce models.

As companies plan ahead for the second half of 2025, the growing use of temporary resource looks set to remain a core part of workforce strategies.

View the full ONS data here

Signs of Recovery Emerging in the UK Jobs Market

The latest KPMG & REC Report on Jobs suggests early signs of stabilisation in the UK labour market. While hiring activity remains subdued, the slowdown is easing, candidate availability is at its highest since 2020, and wage growth continues to show resilience – all encouraging indicators as businesses plan ahead.

Read the full report here

Rise of “Fractional Workers” at Senior Level

Senior professionals, including C-suite execs, are increasingly taking on part-time leadership roles – known as “fractional” or portfolio careers. According to The Times, LinkedIn profiles citing fractional leadership grew from 2,000 in 2022 to 110,000 by 2024. This trend helps businesses access top-tier talent flexibly and creates new recruitment opportunities for high-level specialists.

Read article here (paywall)