Right, where do I start with 2025? It's been one of those years that's tested every ounce of experience I've gained over more than three decades in recruitment. The jobs market has been fragile all year, and planning has been next to impossible. One month you're riding high with multiple placements and strong client engagement, then the next month it's tumbleweeds. Honestly, it's been exhausting.
But here we are, still standing, still placing great people in great roles, and that's worth acknowledging.
The Budget
The November 2025 Budget increases the overall cost of employing staff through frozen tax and NIC thresholds, higher wage floors and tighter pension salary‑sacrifice rules, partly offset by targeted breaks like cheaper business rates for high‑street firms and continued support for apprentices in SMEs.
However, there is some relief if you're recruiting under-25s into apprenticeships or considering Youth Guarantee placements. The Government is cutting training costs and providing subsidised work opportunities for these specific groups. So whilst general hiring becomes more costly, there are targeted incentives for bringing young people into your business.
Aspire Jobs in 2025
We've changed shape this year. When we started out in January, we had four people on the team. We're ending December with two: myself and Amanda. Being a small business, we can flex when the market demands it, and when things are tough, you adapt.
I'm genuinely grateful that we can make these decisions quickly without layers of bureaucracy. We've stayed close to our clients, understood their challenges, and continued to deliver quality permanent placements across Dorset, Hampshire and beyond.
Thank you
To every client who trusted us with their vacancies this year, thank you. To every candidate who worked with us, believed in our approach and let us guide you through what's been a difficult market, thank you. Your support has kept us going through the ups and downs.
Christmas closure and our charity choice
We'll be closing on Tuesday, 23rd December, around 4 pm and reopening on Monday, 5th January at 8.30 am. Instead of sending Christmas cards this year, we've made a donation to Age UK North, West and South Dorset, a charity I'm proud to serve as a Trustee. They do vital work supporting older people in our community, and every pound makes a difference.
Looking ahead
Will 2026 be easier? I genuinely don't know. What I do know is that good recruitment still matters. Businesses still need the right people, and talented professionals still need the right opportunities. The fundamentals haven't changed, even if the market conditions have.
Whatever 2026 throws at us, we'll be here, doing what we do best: straight talking, honest advice, and quality placements.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Best wishes,
Helen & Amanda