April 2026 UK Economy and Labour Market Report from Change Specialists

The April 2026 UK Economy and Labour Market Report from Change Specialists provides a concise view of the latest developments shaping the UK economy and labour market, combining data from trusted sources with practical insight from across our client base.

Designed to help business leaders quickly understand the key trends influencing hiring, investment, and workforce strategy, and how those trends are evolving in response to a more uncertain global backdrop.

Alongside the data, we highlight how organisations are adapting, with a growing focus on targeted hiring, critical capabilities, and maintaining momentum in change and transformation initiatives.

Change Specialists’ April 2026 UK Economy and Labour Market Report draws on the latest data from the Office of National Statistics and trusted industry sources to provide a concise overview.

Read the full report to understand the latest UK employment trends and what they mean for UK businesses. Select ‘Download’ above for your copy of the full report.

For more information about Change Specialists’s services or to discuss upcoming projects, please contact Julian Brown (Practice Director) or reach out to us at info@changespecialists.co.uk / Contact Form

March 2026 UK Economy and Labour Market Report

Change Specialists latest monthly snapshot highlights a labour market that is stabilising – but with a more cautious tone emerging.

While headline figures remain relatively steady, the broader context is shifting. Global volatility, softening wage growth, and reduced vacancy levels are influencing how organisations approach hiring, investment and transformation.

In this environment, many businesses are moving away from large-scale change programmes towards more targeted, outcome led initiatives with a growing focus on productivity, AI, and flexible capability.

Change Specialists’ March 2026 UK Economy and Labour Market Report draws on the latest data from the Office of National Statistics and trusted industry sources to provide a concise overview.

Read the full report to understand the latest UK employment trends and what they mean for UK businesses. Select ‘Download’ above for your copy of the full report.

For more information about Change Specialists’s services or to discuss upcoming projects, please contact Julian Brown (Practice Director) or reach out to us at info@changespecialists.co.uk / Contact Form

February 2026 UK Economy and Labour Market Report

Change Specialists’ February 2026 UK Economy and Labour Market Report draws on the latest data from the Office of National Statistics and trusted industry sources to provide a concise overview.

Read the full report to understand the latest UK employment trends and what they mean for UK businesses. Select ‘Download’ above for your copy of the full report.

For more information about Change Specialists’s services or to discuss upcoming projects, please contact Julian Brown (Practice Director) or reach out to us at info@changespecialists.co.uk / Contact Form

Change Specialists Awarded DOS7 – Digital Specialists Framework Contract

Change Specialists is delighted to announce that the Crown Commercial Service has awarded us a place on the Digital Outcomes and Specialists 7 (DOS7) Framework, Lot 3 – Digital Specialists.

As a result, public sector organisations can engage our specialists to support specific projects, services, and transformation initiatives. They bring targeted skills directly into teams, helping them deliver results faster and more effectively.

Public sector transformation isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about improving lives. Therefore, we help teams succeed in areas such as:

  • Change management and leadership
  • Digital and service transformation
  • Organisational design and operating model change
  • Stakeholder engagement and adoption

Moreover, we are approved to work with a wide range of organisations, including central and local government, charities, education, health services, blue light services (Police, Fire, Ambulance, Search & Rescue), and devolved administrations.

Importantly, clients can continue to work with us via the existing DOS framework until DOS7 goes live in Spring 2026. This ensures continuity and trusted support for IT, digital, and change programmes.

Change Specialists Awarded DOS7 – Digital Specialists Framework Contract

“We’re thrilled to join DOS7,” said John Dean, CEO. “This award reflects our clients’ trust and allows us to continue delivering practical, people-centred change across the public sector.”

For more information about Change Specialists’s services or to discuss upcoming projects, please contact Julian Brown (Practice Director) or reach out to us at info@changespecialists.co.uk / 01379 871144 / contact form.

Change Specialists Awarded DOS7 – Digital Specialists Framework Contract

G-Cloud 14 Framework for the Second Consecutive Year

We’re delighted to share that Change Specialists has been confirmed as a Crown Commercial Supplier on the UK Government’s G-Cloud 14 Framework for the second consecutive year.

G-Cloud is a UK government framework that aims to simplify the public sector procurement process through a pre-approved list of suppliers. 

The framework is designed to be utilised by Central Government, Charities, Education, Health, Local Authority, Blue Light (Police, Fire, Ambulance, Search & Rescue) and Devolved Administrations. Working with Change Specialists gives the reassurance of partnering with a government approved supplier who is well placed to support IT, Digital & Change projects and programmes.

Our services include:
✨ People consultancy and placement.
💻 Digital transformation, technology upgrades and improvement.
⬆️ Programme turnaround, delivery assurance, and advisory services.
💡 Operational improvements and business transformation.
✔️ Regulatory change, including crisis work.
💼 Rationalisation and optimisation of teams and infrastructure.
😀 Customer experience improvement and culture change.

For more information, feel free to reach out to us at info@changespecialists.co.uk / 01379 871144

The Change Specialists team are delighted to be approved on the G-Cloud 14 Framework for the second consecutive year Change Specialists – The Change People.

UK Labour Market Update in 50 seconds – May 2023

Our popular UK Labour Market update is now available to watch in 50 seconds – click below for an instant update!

Signs are emerging that the UK job market is cooling. However, growth in employee average total pay is up 5.8% January to March 2023.

If you would like to discuss the latest UK labour market trends, or receive a copy of future Labour Market reports direct to your inbox, contact us or follow our LinkedIn page.

Change Specialists – The Change People

UK Labour Market Update

Change Management Question & Answer with the National Housing Federation

Change Specialists CEO John Dean was thrilled to be invited to join the recent National Housing Federation Eastern Region HR Forum Change Management Question & Answer session.

John enjoyed the lively event, meeting some amazing HR professionals, and of course discussing all things Change Management. The workshop wrapped up with a lively Q & A session, a thoroughly enjoyable event.

Maybe you are looking for some input from a Change Management expert for your next inhouse training session? Or a Change Management Question & Answer session. Get in touch!

For further information about our services and an insight into how Change Specialists can help with your current or pending business change or digital transformation programme contact us  

Our Senior Leadership Team love the opportunity to share their extensive experience operating in the change space.

Change Management Question & Answer

UK Labour Market Update – January 2023

Hot off the press! UK Labour Market Update, our snapshot of how the UK Labour market is performing, and associated data.

A recent slowdown in hiring reflects greater economic uncertainty, rising costs and ongoing candidate shortages.

Our findings highlight the challenges facing organisations in attracting and retaining the skills and capabilities they need across all disciplines, including driving Change and IT and digital programmes. 

If you would like to discuss the latest labour market trends, or receive a copy of future Labour Market reports direct to your inbox, contact us or follow our LinkedIn page.

Change Specialists – The Change People

UK Labour Market Update

Labour Market Update January 2023

FCA Consumer Duty – Is Your Project Team Ready?

FCA Consumer Duty implementation is top of mind for many organisations, and with good reason!

The rules apply to regulated firms providing retail financial services to consumers, such as personal banking, insurance and investments. 

With the October 2022 deadline for organisations who are in scope to agree their implementation plans now passed, many are facing the reality of the key challenges that they face in order to conform with the regulations.

These might include:

✔️ Accurate mapping of customer journeys – to demonstrate acting in good faith right through the customer journey, and throughout the lifecycle of their products and services

⏳ Effective product governance – embedding the required products and services outcome rules in order to deliver good outcomes for their customers

💡 Evidencing their plans and actions to effectively implement the regulations within their organisation

It’s going to prove challenging to deliver on the required Consumer Duty commitments by July 2023.

Does your Project Team have all the required skill sets?

Change Specialists Flex Service (CS Flex) supports your programme of work by enabling you to buy in professional change capability when and where its needed, to support the delivery of successful outcomes.

More targeted, flexible, dynamic and cost-effective than traditional approaches to change management and delivery. All backed by our Change Specialists Service Assurance model.

What difference would CS Flex make to the success of your Consumer Duty Implementation Project?

Contact the Change Specialists today to discuss your resourcing challenges.

info@changespecialists.co.uk / 01379 871144

Consumer Duty Implementation Timeline

Crown Commercial Service supplier for DOS 6 & G-Cloud – Change Specialists Ltd

We are delighted to announce that Change Specialists are now an approved supplier on the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Digital Outcomes and Specialists framework (DOS 6) and Cloud Software and Services framework (G-Cloud 13). This enables us to support public sector organisations in securing the IT & Change expertise they need for their digital transformation programmes.

Being an approved supplier on these frameworks means that any public sector organisation can access Change Specialists’ knowledge & expertise to deliver their change & transformation plans.

As well as provision of direct Consultancy and Delivery services, Change Specialists can provide the following expertise through these frameworks.

  • Programme & Project Management
  • PMO
  • Business Analysis
  • Software development
  • Quality Assurance & Testing
  • Solution, Enterprise, Network, Data & Security Architects

We very much look forward to working with stakeholders in public sector organisations and helping make change happen.

For further information about the services available and how Change Specialists can help with your digital transformation programme, please email us at info@changespecialists.co.uk

Crown Commercial Service Supplier for DOS 6 and G-Cloud