The British labour market is among the most flexible in Europe: hiring and firing is easier than in much of the Continent, contracts are less rigid and job changes are frequent. That means more opportunities, especially for young people and in growing sectors, but also less protection. After Brexit, EU citizens without resident status need a visa to work (see studying and working after Brexit); for everyone else, here is how it works.
The labour market today
About 33-34 million people work in the UK. The employment rate is among the highest in Europe, around 75% of the working-age population, while unemployment in summer 2026 stood at 4.7%, up on the years before the pandemic, with vacancies at a five-year low. More than 80% of workers are in services: retail, health and care, education, finance, technology, tourism and hospitality. Manufacturing weighs less than in Germany or Italy but remains strong in aerospace, cars, pharmaceuticals and defence. London concentrates finance, consulting, media and technology; Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow are growing hubs.
Contracts and rights
Since 2020 every worker has been entitled from day one to a written statement of the main terms of employment: duties, pay, hours, holidays, notice. The minimum legal rights include:
- the minimum wage (£12.71 an hour from age 21, since April 2026);
- at least 28 days' paid holiday a year for full-time workers, including public holidays;
- an average limit of 48 hours a week, which workers can opt out of in writing;
- statutory sick pay, maternity leave of up to 52 weeks and paternity leave;
- automatic enrolment in a workplace pension.
The Employment Rights Act passed by the Labour government is strengthening these protections, with limits on "zero-hours" contracts, which guarantee no minimum hours, and stronger protection against unfair dismissal.
How to look for work
Job ads are found on the big job boards, on LinkedIn, on company websites and through recruitment agencies, widely used for temporary work too. The British CV is short, two pages at most, without a photo or personal details such as age or marital status, and comes with a targeted cover letter. Interviews are often based on behavioural questions ("tell me about a time when..."). Public employment offices are called Jobcentre Plus.
Tax and National Insurance
To work you need a National Insurance number, obtained after entering on a visa or with resident status. Tax is deducted directly from pay through PAYE; the self-employed file an annual Self Assessment return instead. Rates and an example of take-home pay are on the wages page.
Sectors looking for staff
The sectors with the biggest shortages are health and social care (nurses, doctors, care workers), construction, engineering, IT and some skilled industrial occupations. Many of these jobs qualify for reduced salary thresholds for the work visa. Tourism and hospitality also need staff, but after Brexit recruiting from Europe is much harder because of visa rules.
See also moving to the UK, cost of living and living in the UK.