Talent Trends Report - January 2026
What 2026 means for hiring, agility and workforce planning
The past year showed just how quickly hiring conditions can shift. Confidence came and went, permanent recruitment stayed cautious, and many organisations leaned on flexibility to keep work moving.
So far in 2026, the UK hiring environment feels more stable — but still selective. Candidate availability remains relatively high, pay pressure is largely contained and employers are being more deliberate about when and how they hire.
What’s changing isn’t just demand. It’s behaviour.
Organisations are rethinking how they build teams - balancing permanent and contract hiring, planning capacity earlier and reducing reliance on last-minute recruitment when demand spikes.
The takeaway for 2026 is simple: The organisations that perform best won’t necessarily be the ones that can hire fastest - but the ones that are set up and ready to move when they need to.
What’s inside the January Talent Trends Report
A short review of the 2025 UK hiring market
What the latest REC/KPMG data tells us about stability, supply and pay
Key lessons employers learned during a challenging year for recruitment
Practical guidance on building flexibility into hiring plans for 2026
Why agility - not volume - will define successful hiring strategies
This report is designed for business leaders, HR teams and hiring managers who want clarity, not noise and practical insight they can act on.
About the report
The January Talent Trends Report combines REC/KPMG market intelligence with Vermelo’s expertise across insurance, financial, professional and technical markets to provide an informed, forward-looking view of the hiring landscape.
Want to discuss what this means for your 2026 hiring plans?
Contact Santa Benga – Santa.Benga@VermeloRPO.com | 07304 094171 or book a short strategy call.