Better news on the jobs front for Scotland

EMPLOYMENT IN permanent and temporary jobs increased last month, according to the latest Bank of Scotland survey.

Edinburgh recruitment firms showed the biggest rise in permanent placements, while recruiters in Dundee registered the fastest increase in filling temporary jobs during September.

Permanent salaries fell slightly in the last month, but hourly temporary pay rates rose, according to the survey.

The Bank of Scotland labour market barometer —an indicator made up from demand for staff, employment levels, and pay in the permanent and temporary markets — was 52.3 for September, down marginally from 52.4 in August, signalling a modest improvement in Scotland’s job market.

Donald MacRae, chief economist at Bank of Scotland, said: “Scotland’s job market continued to improve in September with a welcome increase in people appointed to both permanent and temporary jobs alongside a rising number of vacancies.

“The Scottish economy is maintaining employment in the face of the global slowdown. A significant fall in unemployment awaits a lift in both consumer and business confidence.”

The hotel and catering industry and IT led an increase in permanent vacancies in September.

Temporary jobs in the IT industry also grew last month.

Enter prise minister Fergus Ewing said: “Last month, Finance Secretary John Swinney outlined a budget for economic growth, including further investment in construction and skills with £40 million to be invested in affordable housing, increasing the number of new schools we will build and helping small and medium-sized businesses create up to 10,000 oppor tunities through a national employer recruitment initiative.

“These measures build on the £485m additional investment we have announced since last year’s Spending Review to stimulate Scotland’s economy and protect families, businesses, front line services and jobs all over the country, in the face of Westminster cuts.

“This month’s Barometer report shows an improvement in Scottish labour market conditions for the 23rd consecutive month in September.”