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Introduction
According to the latest REC and KPMG UK Report on Jobs for May 2026, permanent staff placements rates fell to 47.5 in April 2026, down from 49.2 in March. In terms of the index 50.0 represents no growth, above 50.0 means there has been growth and any figure below 50.0 represents a decline in permanent placements at UK employers. The April figure represents permanent placements falling at the quickest rate since January 2026. The reason behind the current job decline trend is due to uncertainty in regards to the Iran war’s impact on the UK and global economy and rising cost of doing business pressures leading to an increased number of redundancies and a slowdown on hiring.
In terms of job vacancy availability, demand for staff in the UK has decreased in April 2026 for the thirtieth successive month in a row. The report monitors individual sectors and noted that engineering was the only sector that registered an increase in demand for permanent workers. At the other end of the scale hotel, catering and retail recorded the steepest falls in permanent vacancies due to weak consumer demand.
Businesses looking to take on new staff or train up their existing workforce can apply for financial support in the form of grants. Funding is available in local areas from councils, enterprise support agencies, universities and sector skills based training organisations. Businesses can receive funding to help train and develop new skills for their existing employees, create new job roles, take on apprentices or have graduate or intern placements. In some cases match funding from the employer is required to part pay new salaries or for training courses and activities.
What Are Some Of The Latest UK Recruiting and Developing Grants Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Keighley and Shipley Towns Fund
Invest in Bradford is running a scheme providing funding to businesses to support investment projects that create new businesses, improve productivity and expand or diversify existing businesses leading to sustainable growth and job creation. Local areas covered include Baildon, Bingley, Ilkley, Keighley, Shipley and Silsden. Funding up to £315,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Local Economy Fund – Standard Applications
The Isle of Man Department of Enterprise is providing financial assistance to businesses, seeking to undertake activities and initiatives that support the Local Economy Strategy’s Strategic Goals. Eligible projects can include the appointment of staff and training activities. Applicants will be eligible to apply for funding of up to £100,000 per year, per initiative under the Standard Applications stream.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Employer Support Fund for T-Levels
Walsall College is providing funding available to employers in the local area towards the cost of hosting T Level students on high-quality industry placements. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Export Training Grant
The Welsh Government has funding available to help businesses to
improve their capability to export through training. The grant covers the following areas for training courses and activities – finance, sales and marketing, customs processes and procedures, export processes, market awareness and specialist support, leadership and management. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Fife Investment Fund
Business Gateway Fife has a fund that can help support and encourage small companies to invest and grow their business. Eligible project costs include training activities for staff. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Rural Business And Enterprise Community Trust
Test Valley Borough Council has a fund seeking proposals that will improve the local economy and support businesses long-term sustainability. Businesses can apply for funding for capital projects and/or one-off revenue costs such as training. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Fair Work Incentive
Clackmannanshire Council Is providing funding available towards the costs of recruiting and keeping a person in employment, including an apprenticeship. The funding is offered in a tiered amount of up to £8,000 over a period of 52 weeks.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Apprenticeship and Training Grants
The Manufacturing Technologies Association is running a scheme providing grants to businesses in the manufacturing sector to help them recruit apprentices and train staff. Funding up to £4,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Recruiting and Developing Staff Funding Schemes
Full details about how to apply for schemes and the eligibility criteria is available on each individual scheme page on the relevant website. Any deadlines, who can apply and what eligible costs the grants will cover will also be outlined on these pages. Interested individuals and businesses can speak to advisors based at each provider who can guide them through requirements and eligibility criteria to see if the relevant funding is a match with their needs and help them to apply. There are also application forms and other supporting guidance available on scheme pages as well.