December 2025 - Key Veterinary Sector & Recruitment Insights for Vets & RVNs

Here is our monthly newsletter to keep you up to date with insights into the veterinary recruitment market and veterinary industry news.

The Locum Market 

The locum market is experiencing some of the pre-festive season lull that usually picks back up again before Christmas. Roles with accommodation are particularly thin on the ground at the moment, so if you require accommodation, please discuss with us and potentially consider booking your own accommodation whilst negotiating a slightly higher rate.

Another corporate group has introduced an app based system for their locum requirements but we've heard from locums that they are experiencing a high volume of teething issues, especially with sole trader locums. If you want a no nonsense recruitment service where you can speak to a human being rather than negotiating through another app, get in touch. 

Roles continue to fill really quickly, especially the good ones. Please ensure we have your up-to-date CV, rates and availability to help us win the race ensuring we can get you the most suitable roles. If you're open to working and staying in accommodation, please do let us know and we'll ensure you're receiving roles UK-wide with accommodation on offer.

The Permanent Job Market 

The permanent market continues to be steady, but still more competitive than a few years ago and vets and nurses with good clinical skills are still in high demand. A structure change within one corporate group has lead to redundancies, with rumours of another set on the way within another. We're so sorry to hear of these and if you have been affected we will do our utmost to help. As always with permanent positions, don't go waiting for the perfect permanent role to be advertised, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

Industry News

Headlines from the past few weeks:-

• The RSPCA has announced it will scrap its system of initial emergency treatment payments to vets for the care of unowned animals at the end of this year.

• The RCVS exit survey has reported there is "no mass exodus" from the veterinary sector despite recruitment and retention worries. 54% of RVNs leaving the register said they were leaving for an altogether different field, with the RCVS saying the free text responses were dominated by RVNs commenting about financial stress.

• The fallout from the CMA reforms continues, with a survey by the Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices showing:- Only 6.15% of participants reported their practices supported the authority’s plan for a £16 prescription price cap, 65% believed their practices’ viability would be threatened by the prescription cap and 64% believing their practice's viability would be threatened by the requirement for vets to inform clients of alternative online pharmacies.

Weekly Locum Payments

A reminder that if you locum through an umbrella company, or limited company you will be paid by us weekly (excluding some corporates). Unlike other agencies, we actually help with chasing sole trader payments too. We can also offer direct payments to sole trader locums on occasion, for example if the practice has very long payment terms so do enquire if this would be useful to you.

TikTok

As an office full of 30 and 40 somethings, we've been dragged into the 21^st century by joining TikTok - follow us for industry insights, jobs and general fun:- @jurassic.recruitment 

Facebook Group

We have a Facebook Group to share our roles before anywhere else. Join it here & beat the rush.

Mental Health Support Details

VetLife - 0303 040 2551

Samaritans - 116 123

Mind - 0300 123 3393

If we can help you in finding any locum or permanent work, or if your practice has a vacancy or locum requirement, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

October 2025 - Key Industry Insights for Vets & RVNs

Here’s your October round-up of insights from across the UK veterinary sector, from market trends and industry developments to key regulatory updates you’ll want to know about.

The Locum Market

Rates continue unmoved in comparison to twelve months ago and locum flexibility continues to be crucial in terms of navigating the market. Good roles get filled quickly, by good locums. We’re talking in minutes in some cases. Staying in regular touch with us means we’re better placed to make sure we’re getting you the most suitable roles. If you have availability, please send it over to us to ensure you’re at the front of the queue.

Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Issues Provisional Decision

As we’re sure you’ve all seen, by far the most significant development this month is the publication of the Competition and Markets Authority’s provisional decision into the UK veterinary services market which was released last week.

Key findings and proposals include:-

• The CMA estimated that average veterinary prices rose by approximately 63% between 2016 and 2023, far outpacing inflation.

• It found that corporate practices charge on average about 16.6% more than independent practices.

• The regulatory system was deemed “not fit for purpose”.

• The CMA has signalled 21 proposed remedial measures, such as: mandatory publishing of price lists; clearer disclosure of practice ownership; a proposed price cap on written prescriptions (around £16).

From a veterinary professional’s viewpoint, these changes may have a number of implications:-

• Greater administrative burden for practices to comply.

• A potential shift in how practices communicate fees and treatment options to clients, including the need to tell clients they can order medication online.

• For locums and staff, there may be an indirect effect on practice finances as the cost-side comes under shareholder scrutiny, which may impact decisions around staffing.

• For independent practices, the spotlight on “independent vs corporate” differences may bring new opportunities (or at least new narratives) in the recruitment market.

The final decision is expected by March 2026, with some measures potentially coming into force before the end of 2026.

BVA has welcomed the recognition of professional standards but expressed concern about how certain measures (for example the blanket publication of price lists) may impact service delivery in practices with variable case-mix.

Many seem to think that the proposed remedies do not go far enough, with one commentator saying it is “rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic”. IVC Evidensia responded by saying “"While we already comply with a number of the CMA's proposals, the full package will inevitably increase the administrative burden for the veterinary sector", whilst others such as Medivet and Pets at Home were more supportive in their reactions.

Recruitment Implications

While the CMA investigation dominates the headlines, there are several recruitment-specific points worth mentioning:

• Independent practices appear to be gaining renewed traction. The regulatory scrutiny of large groups and heightened focus on transparency may support independents in differentiating themselves. For vets and nurses this could mean increased flexibility and potential for greater clinical autonomy in independent setups.

• From a recruitment-market perspective the message remains: roles still get filled before formal advertisement. For both locum and permanent candidates, staying in touch and alert to opportunities remains critical.

• For locums: payment terms, shifts and booking flexibility continue to matter. With potential change in practice economics, some practices may look to scale back locum usage to save costs (we’re seeing a bit of this already), but there’s still enough work out there if you’re flexible.

Stay up to date

We have a Facebook Group to share our roles before anywhere else. Join it here & beat the rush.

Jurassic Recruitment is now on Instagram & TikTok. We’re hoping to have some fun on there, so please give us a follow!   

Mental Health Support Details

VetLife - 0303 040 2551

Samaritans - 116 123

Mind - 0300 123 3393

If we can help you in finding any locum or permanent work, or if your practice has a vacancy or locum requirement, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Remember to join our Facebook group to keep an eye on any locum roles before anyone else!

Jennee, Neil, Jack & Laura

Jurassic Recruitment