UK unemployment is expected to climb to its highest level in more than a decade in 2026, as economists warn that weak growth, rising employment costs and subdued private sector confidence continue to weigh on the labour market. According to The Times’ annual Economists Survey of 48 leading economists, more than two-thirds believe the unemployment rate will end 2026 between 5% and 5.5%, up from its current level of 5.1%. If the upper end of...










