The latest employment and pay figures for the East of England reveal a mixed picture for the local economy. While the region has seen a small drop in the number of people on payrolls, wages continue to rise ahead of inflation.
In Bedford, there were 89,292 employees on company payrolls in August 2025, down 0.1% compared with the same month last year. Huntingdonshire, which includes St Neots, recorded 87,357 employees – also down 0.1%. Across the East of England as a whole, the number of jobs fell by 6,905 over the last 12 months, mirroring the national trend of a 0.4% drop, or 126,953 posts lost across the UK.
Despite the small decline in employment, the outlook for workers’ earnings is more positive. Median monthly wages in the region rose by 6.5% over the past year to £2,632, significantly outpacing inflation and providing a boost to those in work.
Not all areas were affected equally. Central Bedfordshire bucked the trend with a modest rise in jobs, up 0.1% to 143,516 employees. Meanwhile, other towns and districts, including Bedford and Huntingdonshire, experienced slight falls, highlighting that the economic picture can vary across the region.
Analysts say the data points to a steady but cautious local economy, where employers are trimming staff slightly but wage growth remains strong, offering some reassurance for those in work.
St Neots Ladies Circle Calling for Donations at Christmas Lights Switch-On
Angels Foundation UK secures third consecutive year as Captain’s Charity at St Neots Golf Club
Huntingdonshire residents invited to ‘Be a Councillor’
Drivers urged to get winter-ready as police launch seasonal safety campaign
Comments
Add a comment