London's unemployment rate almost doubles in less than two years in growing jobs crisis

"London is losing jobs faster than any other region in the country as a major shake out in the hard hit retail and hospitality sectors savages the capital. Latest official labour market figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows the number of payrolled employees fell 1.1% in London in 2025, the fastest rate of decline since the pandemic."

"The official unemployment rate for London rose to 7.2% in the September to November quarter, the highest in the country, and the worst since the lockdown of the winter of 2021. It means the jobless tally in London has almost doubled in less than two years since it hit a trough of 3.8% in the three months to January 2024."

Official labour market data shows payrolled employees in London fell 1.1% in 2025, the fastest regional decline since the pandemic. Westminster experienced a 3% drop in employment in the year to December. Unemployment in London rose to 7.2% in the September–November quarter, the highest in the UK and worst since winter 2021 lockdown. London’s jobless rate nearly doubled from a 3.8% trough in early 2024. Newham recorded the highest local authority unemployment at 8.7% and East Ham the highest constituency rate at 17.8%. Youth unemployment rose from 16.6% to 18.8%, while ages 35–49 remained unchanged at 3.9%.

Read at www.standard.co.uk