Employment in Reading remains below last year’s levels, according to the latest data — but a small monthly rise is raising hopes that the local jobs market could be stabilising.
Figures for February 2026 show there were 92,740 employees on payroll in the town, a fall of 0.2% compared with the same time last year. That equates to 208 fewer people in work, underlining ongoing pressure on employers.
However, the most recent monthly change offers a more positive signal. Payroll numbers increased by 51 compared with January — a modest rise of 0.1% — suggesting confidence may be starting to return among some organisations.
The data, based on analysis of Office for National Statistics figures by the employment and pay app WageSight, paints a mixed picture for the local economy.
Compared with other areas in the South East, Reading ranks 41st out of 63 local authorities for employment change, placing it among the weaker-performing areas in the region.
The wider picture across the South East reflects similar uncertainty, with some areas seeing improvements while others continue to face declines in payroll numbers. Nationally, employment trends have also been uneven over the past year, adding to the challenging backdrop.
Paul Hebden, director at WageSight, said recent figures could indicate a shift: “Although employment in Reading remains lower than a year ago, month-on-month data suggests some stabilisation. Whether this marks a genuine turning point or simply a temporary pause in job losses will become clearer in the coming months.”
For now, analysts say it is too early to determine whether the latest uptick signals a sustained recovery — or just a brief moment of relief in an otherwise uncertain jobs market.
