Scottish jobs market drops to one-year low

The number of people finding permanent jobs fell again in September

The labour market in Scotland has weakened to its worst state in almost a year, figures have suggested.

The Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs showed the amount of permanent jobs available fell in September, with average salaries also down.

The index rating assigned by the report to gauge the jobs market was the lowest in 11 months and showed Scotland continued to underperform the UK.

Unemployment rose 13,000 in Scotland over the past three months, to 231,000.

The Bank of Scotland study showed that the number of people who found permanent work fell at the sharpest rate in 13 months, although there was a growth in demand for short-term workers.

Donald MacRae, chief economist at Bank of Scotland, said: "The reduction in the number of permanent jobs available on the Scottish labour market, as well as a fall in the number of people actually placed in full-time employment, is another indication of the dip in business confidence in Scotland.

"We are, however, continuing to see strong demand for temporary staff.

"The number of candidates placed in temporary positions rose at the strongest rate for three months, while the number of temporary vacancies rose for the 11th successive month."

The number of people who found permanent jobs in September fell for the third successive month and at the fastest pace since August 2009.

The report also showed that average salaries for permanent staff fell for the fourth successive month in September. This decline was the sharpest since November 2009.

Glasgow-based recruiters saw the fastest growth in permanent job placements, while those in Edinburgh saw the sharpest rise in temporary staff billings.