The UK hiring market isn’t “back” in a headline sense — but the direction of travel is improving. The latest REC/KPMG signals suggest stabilisation is continuing, with demand still cautious but less negative than it has been, alongside improving candidate availability and easing pay pressure.
In practical terms, this is often when hiring becomes more selective, more time-sensitive, and more dependent on decision-speed. The employers who do best in this phase aren’t necessarily the ones hiring the most — they’re the ones who can move quickly on business-critical roles, keep candidates engaged, and avoid late-stage surprises.
What’s inside the March 2026 Talent Trends Report
This edition is written for HR and business leaders who want clarity and practical direction, not more noise.
Inside, you’ll get:
the key signals from the latest REC/KPMG report and what they indicate for near-term hiring
how candidate availability and pay pressures are shifting (and what that means for hiring plans)
where skills shortages are still being reported
our practical perspective on improving hiring momentum, based on what we see in delivery with clients
Why this edition matters
When the market steadies, the advantage goes to employers who are ready to move, quickly and decisively.
This is typically the point where:
approval and process delays start costing you candidates
“good” candidates become choosier as confidence returns
salary expectations stay mixed (cooling overall, but still premium in niche areas)
hiring outcomes depend more on role clarity + speed + credibility than volume
March’s report helps you focus on what to tighten now, so you’re ready if competition increases in Q2.
How Gerrard White supports employers
Gerrard White is an award-winning specialist recruitment partner across Insurance, Tech & Change and Legal, supporting both permanent and contractor hiring.
We help organisations hire with a focus on:
shortlist quality (relevance over volume)
hiring momentum (reducing avoidable delays without cutting corners)
flexible resourcing (choosing the right route: perm, contract, or a blended approach)
process consistency where governance and risk are important
If you’re hiring for roles where credibility matters, where timelines are tight, or where the brief needs shaping, we can act as a practical partner — not just a CV supplier.
Want to talk through your priority roles?
If you’re hiring in 2026 and want to sense-check your next moves, we’re happy to talk.
In a short conversation we can cover:
a practical approach and indicative timeline (based on your brief and hiring process)
current market pay ranges and candidate expectations (and where premiums may apply)
likely attraction/acceptance risks and practical ways to reduce them
01892 553355 | info@gerrardwhite.com
Gerrard White | Insurance • Tech & Change • Legal | Award-winning Recruitment Specialist Agency
