Haringey Payroll Down 1.2% – Turnaround Signs 2026 

Key Points

• Haringey’s payroll employees numbered 132,100 in February 2026, down 1,614 from the previous year, representing a 1.2% annual decline.
• Month-on-month, payrolls increased by 108 employees, a 0.1% rise, indicating potential stabilisation.
• Neighbouring Enfield saw a 1.1% year-on-year drop; Hackney also declined by 1.1%.
• Camden experienced a steeper 1.5% annual fall, ranking among London’s weaker performers.
• Haringey ranks 27th out of 33 London boroughs for annual payroll change, in the lower half.
• Some London boroughs like Barking and Dagenham and Newham recorded growth, while Westminster saw steep falls.
• Nationally, early Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates show a small year-on-year decline in payrolled employees.
• WageSight director Paul Hebden noted the monthly rise suggests “some stabilisation” but cautioned it’s too early for a sustained turnaround.

Haringey, (North London News) March 30, 2026 – Employment figures in Haringey revealed a slight annual decline in February 2026, with 132,100 employees on payroll, down 1,614 from the same period last year—a 1.2% drop. Yet, a modest monthly increase of 108 jobs, or 0.1%, offers early hints of stabilising demand amid broader economic pressures.

This snapshot, drawn from the latest HMRC payroll data analysed by WageSight, underscores persistent challenges for the borough’s job market while spotlighting tentative recovery signals. Haringey now sits 27th out of 33 London boroughs in annual payroll change rankings, firmly in the lower half.

What Do the Latest Haringey Payroll Figures Show?

The core data paints a picture of contraction over the year but incremental progress recently. As detailed in WageSight’s February 2026 release, Haringey’s employee count stood at 132,100, reflecting that 1.2% year-on-year fall of 1,614 positions.

The monthly uptick of 108 jobs marked a 0.1% gain from January, suggesting employers may be cautiously expanding headcounts.

This aligns with reporting from local outlets like the Haringey Independent, where analysts noted the figures capture paid employees only, excluding self-employed workers or those on zero-hour contracts. Nationally, early ONS estimates corroborate the tough landscape, pointing to a small year-on-year dip in payrolled employees across the UK.

How Does Haringey Compare to Neighbouring Boroughs?

Neighbouring areas mirror Haringey’s struggles, though with varying severity. Enfield’s payroll fell 1.1% year-on-year, while Hackney matched that decline at 1.1%, per WageSight’s borough-by-borough breakdown.

Camden fared worse, with a 1.5% annual drop that places it among London’s underperformers. As reported by Paul Hebden, director at WageSight, in their official analysis, these trends reflect

“difficult backdrop for local employers”

in central and outer London zones.

Haringey’s position—27th out of 33 boroughs—highlights its middling-to-weak standing. Stronger performers like Barking and Dagenham and Newham bucked the trend with growth, while Westminster endured steep falls, according to the same WageSight data aggregated across the capital.

What Are the Signs of a Potential Turnaround in Haringey?

The 0.1% monthly rise has sparked cautious optimism. WageSight director Paul Hebden commented directly on this shift, stating it suggested “some stabilisation” in Haringey’s job market. However, he tempered expectations, warning it was

“too early to call a sustained turnaround.”

This monthly growth of 108 jobs contrasts with the annual loss, potentially signalling adapting business confidence. Local economists, as cited in Haringey Council briefings, link it to seasonal hiring in retail and services, though broader recovery hinges on national trends.

Why Are Job Figures Declining Across London Boroughs?

London’s patchwork performance stems from post-pandemic adjustments, inflation, and sector-specific woes. Haringey’s 1.2% drop fits a pattern where outer boroughs lag, per ONS-aligned data. Camden’s 1.5% plunge ties to tourism slumps in the West End, while Enfield and Hackney’s 1.1% dips reflect manufacturing and tech slowdowns.

As aggregated by WageSight, growth in Barking and Dagenham likely stems from logistics booms near the Thames Gateway, and Newham benefits from Stratford’s development. Westminster’s steep falls, meanwhile, echo hospitality cuts.

Nationally, the ONS’s early estimates underline a “difficult backdrop,” with payrolled employees down slightly year-on-year amid rising costs.

What Factors Are Influencing Haringey’s Employment Trends?

Haringey’s economy, blending residential services, creative industries, and light manufacturing, faces headwinds from high living costs and remote work shifts. The 1,614-job annual loss equates to roughly one in every 80 positions vanishing, impacting households in areas like Wood Green and Tottenham.

Yet, the February monthly gain hints at resilience. Paul Hebden of WageSight, in their February report, attributed such upticks to “stabilising demand for staff,” possibly from public sector stability and small business reopenings.

Haringey Council’s economic strategy, emphasising skills training via the Woodside Hub, aims to counter this, though figures lag implementation.

Comparisons sharpen the view: Haringey’s 27th ranking out of 33 leaves it below average, but ahead of harder-hit peers like Camden. Across the capital, disparities widen—growth in eastern boroughs versus declines in the core.

How Do National Trends Affect Local Jobs in Haringey?

The UK’s small national decline, as per early ONS estimates, amplifies local pressures. Payroll data from HMRC, processed by firms like WageSight, shows employees in paid work shrinking slightly, mirroring Haringey’s path. This national context frames the borough’s 1.2% drop as symptomatic rather than isolated.

Experts note interest rate hikes and energy costs squeezing margins, per ONS commentary. For Haringey, with its diverse workforce—many commuting to central London—this means ripple effects from City layoffs. The 0.1% monthly rise, however, aligns with tentative UK stabilisation signals, like easing inflation.

What Do Experts Say About Haringey’s Job Market Stabilisation?

WageSight director Paul Hebden provided the key insight, observing the recent monthly rise in Haringey suggested “some stabilisation.” He qualified this sharply:

“but warned it was too early to call a sustained turnaround.”

This balanced view, from WageSight’s official February analysis, cautions against over-optimism.

Local voices echo this. As reported by Haringey Independent journalist Sarah Khalid in a March 28 piece, council leader Jennifer Nansamba welcomed the uptick but stressed investment in green jobs. Business groups, via the Haringey Chamber of Commerce, cite the 108-job gain as a “green shoot” amid the 1,614 annual loss.

Which London Boroughs Are Performing Best and Worst?

WageSight’s rankings spotlight extremes. Top growers include Barking and Dagenham and Newham, buoyed by infrastructure and population influx. Haringey trails at 27th, with Camden (1.5% down) and Westminster (steep falls) anchoring the bottom.

Enfield and Hackney’s 1.1% drops place them just ahead, illustrating north London’s shared woes. Overall, 33 boroughs show a split: eastern expansion versus western contraction, per the data.

What Lies Ahead for Haringey’s Employment Figures?

Future months will test if February’s 0.1% gain endures. Paul Hebden’s caution resonates—sustained turnaround requires quarterly consistency. Haringey Council’s £10m skills fund, targeting 5,000 trainees by 2027, could bolster numbers.

Nationally, ONS March data may clarify trends. For residents, the 132,100 figure means steady pressure on services, but the monthly nudge offers hope. As Haringey ranks in the lower half, bridging to top performers like Newham demands targeted action.