UK | Labour shortages are more a nibble than a bite

Construction and, to a lesser extent, manufacturing and agriculture were the only UK sectors to suffer significant labour shortages in July, according to our new proprietary index of hiring mismatches. Labour shortages spiked in the early stages of the pandemic due to the lockdown, huge take up of the furlough scheme, and migrant workers leaving the UK. But since then, the dearth of workers has eased significantly.

What you will learn from this report:

• Only construction, manufacturing and agriculture are
  currently experiencing bigger mismatches than normal
• Despite the well-publicised shortage of HGV drivers, mismatches in the transport sector as a whole were below average levels in July
• Two sectors report mismatches in line with long-run average
  levels