Labour market conditions in Scotland improved in January, according to the latest Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs.

The Bank of Scotland Labour Market Barometer posted 53.2 in January, up from 52.6 in December. The barometer has now registered above the 50.0 no-change threshold for the third month in a row, with January’s reading the highest since last April.

Donald MacRae, chief economist at Bank of Scotland, says: “The Scottish labour market saw a welcome improvement for the third consecutive month, however further improvement is needed before we can be sure that job growth in the private sector will offset future public sector job cuts.
 
“The barometer posted above the no-change threshold for the third consecutive month and is now at its highest point in nine months. The number of permanent appointments increased for the fourth successive month, with the rate of growth rising to the fastest in nine months and outpacing the rest of the UK. Demand for permanent staff increased at a marked rate in January, posting its highest reading in eight months. All eight employment categories registered greater demand for permanent staff in January.”