The UK labour market may be showing signs of strain, but the demand for IT and technology professionals is trending upwards. Over half of British businesses intend to expand their permanent IT and tech teams in the first half of next year, according to new research from recruitment firm Robert Half. This trend emerges as a rare positive amid rising unemployment and post-pandemic redundancy highs.
The research indicates that 56% of organisations are preparing to increase their tech headcount, underscoring the critical role digital skills play in business strategy. Craig Freedberg, regional director at Robert Half, commented, “Organisations are accelerating digital transformation, embedding AI, upgrading legacy systems and strengthening cyber resilience, all of which require highly skilled technical professionals.”
The strongest demand is anticipated in infrastructure, data, cybersecurity, software, and cloud engineering. Companies are increasingly blending permanent hires with project-based contractors to maintain momentum.
The imbalance is particularly pronounced in the cybersecurity sector. Despite increased investment in cyber defences, the UK is experiencing a shortfall of tens of thousands of skilled cyber professionals, as reported by the UK Cyber Security Council. Nearly half of UK businesses report gaps in basic technical cyber skills, and over a quarter lack expertise in advanced areas such as threat intelligence and penetration testing.
This shortage is placing additional stress on IT security teams, especially in mid-market firms with limited resources, as cyber threats continue to grow in complexity and frequency. A Gartner survey found that 62 per cent of cybersecurity leaders have experienced burnout, with fatigue now considered a significant risk factor in breach scenarios.
In this context, tech hiring has become a defensive necessity for many businesses. As the broader jobs market weakens and the Bank of England considers interest rate cuts to support the economy, the demand for digital and cyber talent is likely to remain one of the few areas where employers continue to hire urgently.
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