The latest Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs indicated growth of both permanent and temporary staff placements in March. The strongest rise was for permanent appointments, which more than reversed a reduction in February. Higher placements generally reflected greater demand for staff, but the rates of vacancy growth remained weaker than their respective long-run series averages. Meanwhile, permanent salaries increased in the latest survey period, following no change one month earlier.

• Moderate rise in permanent appointments, reversing a fall in February
• Growth of demand for staff remains below trend
• Aberdeen-based recruiters see strongest rise in permanent placements, while agencies in Edinburgh post fastest increase in temp billings

The Bank of Scotland Labour Market Barometer – a composite indicator designed to provide a single figure snapshot of labour market conditions – registered 53.0 in March, consistent with a moderate improvement in Scottish job market conditions. Moreover, up from February’s seven-month low of 51.2, the Barometer signalled a faster rate of growth, which was also stronger than the UK average (52.3).

Donald MacRae, Chief Economist at Bank of Scotland, commented: “This latest Barometer for March shows a welcome rise from the low of last month. The number of people appointed to both permanent and temporary jobs rose while the number of vacancies increased. These results reinforce the view that the Scottish economy is continuing its slow recovery from recession.”
Credit: onrec.com