Scottish job market shows continued growth in May 2011

The improving trend was better than that found in a parallel UK survey

Scotland's job market in May continued to see improvement for a seventh consecutive month, according to a survey by recruitment specialists.

The survey carried out for Bank of Scotland showed more demand for permanent and temporary staff.

It found starting pay rising at its strongest pace for three years, with the biggest increases in permanent salaries to be found in Edinburgh.

The number of vacancies was up and the number of permanent job seekers fell.

The survey, which monitors hiring, vacancies and jobseeking, found May had the fastest fall in the number of people looking for permanent jobs since March 2008.

The numbers seeking temporary jobs rose, but at a slowing pace.

Dundee was the city with recruitment improving at the fastest rate, and - once again - there was most demand for permanent recruits in IT and computing. Temporary recruits were strongest in the hotel and catering sector.

'Economic recovery'

The improving trend was better than that found in a parallel UK survey, but it has slowed from previous months.

The survey, carried out by market research firm Markit, draws on the opinions of more than 100 recruitment consultants in Scotland.

It reaches a monthly index reflecting the feedback on recruitment, vacancies and availability of staff, which means improvement if it rises above 50. The May index dipped slightly from April, to 56.5.

Donald MacRae, the Bank of Scotland's chief economist, said the survey showed "further evidence of Scotland's economic recovery".

He said: "The number of people employed into both permanent and temporary roles increased strongly in May. Vacancies overall improved while the number of people seeking permanent work fell during the month."

The most recent employment statistics, published last Wednesday and covering survey evidence from February, March and April, continued the trend of a falling number of Scots seeking work - down by 10,000 to 207,000.

The count of those claiming Jobseekers Allowance was up by 1,200 to 139,300, while the number of people in work fell by 7,000.