One in three look for new job in 2023

31% are planning to find a new role

Author: Jon BurkePublished 4th Jan 2023

About one in 12 (8%) workers are looking for a new job as the new year gets under way and nearly a third (31%) are planning to find a new role at some point in 2023, according to a survey.

Research from Totaljobs has found higher salaries are the top driver behind job searches (57%) in the next 12 months, as people seek higher pay to counteract the rising cost of living.

This is followed by a lack of job satisfaction in their existing role (39%), wanting a better work/life balance (33%) and seeking better growth and training opportunities (25%).

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of people said rising living costs mean they are worried about their financial situation.

But flexible working options also remain a priority, with a quarter (25%) of people expecting employers to offer more flexible working options.

Nearly two-thirds (62%) of people said that, in light of the cost-of-living crisis, they are more likely to ignore a job advert that does not disclose the salary.

Steve Warnham, senior researcher at Totaljobs, said that firms setting fair and transparent salaries and promoting the support and non-monetary benefits available to staff "will be key to ensuring businesses can continue to plug skills gaps and bounce back when the economy recovers".

More than 2,500 workers were questioned for the research.

the cost of living crisis is affecting many:

Interest rates and inflation go up

Inflation rose by 8.8% in the 12 months to January 2023, down from 9.2% in December 2022. With interest rates also rising to 4%, those saving money will earn more interest on their finances, whilst those paying mortgages would pay more interest to the bank.

Energy bills

The price of energy went up incredibly as the cost of living crisis hit, with the gas price spike caused largely by the war in Ukraine. The price cap - which is set by an independent regulator to help offset costs onto customers - was set to rise to £3,549 for an average home in October but a price freeze from the government restricted the typical bill to £2,500. That's still an increase of 27% from the previous energy cap and as it's a cap on unit cost, the more energy you use the higher your bill will be.

Food prices

The cost of a weekly shop also has gone up as a result of the cost of living crisis. As a result of the war in Ukraine, a number of products including cooking oils and wheat have been disrupted. This means that several products are now considerably more expensive, driving bills up for customers.

Prices at the pumps

The average cost of petrol has also rose to unprecedented levels. Supply lines for petrol have been thrown into doubt as a result of the war in Ukraine, as Russia is a large export partner for gas, oil and fuel. In April 2022, the average price for a litre of petrol on the forecourt was 160.2p, whilst a litre of diesel would cost 170.5p. By late June 2022 the price had risen to an average of 190.9p for a litre of unleaded and 198.9p for a litre of diesel. In March 2023 the price wass on average of 147.03 in petrol and 167.04 in diesel.

Average cost of filling up a car with petrol hits £100

On 9th June 2022, the average cost of filling up a car with petrol hit £100 for the first time ever. Diesel had already hit that milestone. It comes as the cost of fuel hit a record high of one pound eighty a litre. The 2p rise was the biggest daily jump in 17 years. Prices have dropped by at least 20p per litre since the high point.

Hear the latest news from across the UK every hour, on Planet Rock on DAB, smartspeaker, and on the Rayo app.