Vacancies and new starters continue rise

Scotland’s labour market remained robust in October, with recruitment agencies signalling sharp growth in permanent and temporary work placements, according to a report published today.

The Report on Jobs from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) showed a 21st consecutive month of growth in permanent staff appointments in Scotland, while billings received by Scottish recruiters from the employment of temporary staff increased at the joint-sharpest pace since May.

At the same time, the data indicated a continued rise in permanentandshort-termjob vacancies, which expanded at a greater rate than the comparable UK average.

Staff availability worsened at the start of the fourth quarter, falling at a quicker pace than for the UK as whole and contributing to further marked increases in pay, noted the RBS report.

This pushed the rate of pay inflation for new starters to its highest in 46 months.

Sebastian Burnside, chief economist at RBS, said: “Latest survey data continues to signal strong labour market conditions in Scotland. “Although permanent appointments rose at a slower rate, the increase was marked and faster than the UK average, while the rise in shortterm staff billings quickened.

“Moreover, with sharp growth in demand for staff and deteriorating candidate supplies being sustained, pay pressures continued to lift.

“Effort to attract new joiners was evidenced by starting salary inflation accelerating to a near four-year high in October.” 0 Sebastian Burnside says labour market is ‘strong’