Scottish businesses ramping up recruitment in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen

A Manpower survey has revealed that Scottish companies across the major cities are set to take on more staff next year after the uncertainty over the independence referendum was quashed following Scotland's decision to remain part of the UK.

According to the report, firms in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen in particular are aiming to conduct a hiring drive in the New Year, although business confidence across the country has ebbed since Scots voted against independence in September.

"Scottish employers are entering the new year with plans to take on staff, although at a slightly slower rate than we saw in the second half of 2014," said Manpower UK operations manager Amanda White.

"Last quarter, we saw companies display some hesitance about hiring ahead of the referendum.

"Even though the outcome has been decided, we have seen little pick-up in the outlook, although hiring intentions remain in positive territory.

"Interestingly, we have recently seen a trend for more permanent positions, with some employers even converting existing temporary roles to permanent ones, suggesting that companies are thinking in longer terms now post-referendum stability has been established.

"Many of the permanent positions are concentrated in call centre and customer service roles, where companies are keen to hang on to good sales people and employees with the right skills."

The service, financial, manufacturing, and oil industries are set to take on more staff as demand for greater expansion in these sectors are the strongest.

On 18 September, over 80% of Scots turned out to vote in the independence referendum.

Around 55% of Scots voted against independence after Whitehall pledged to grant greater powers over taxation and other issues to Scotland.

The Smith Commission has since laid out recommendations over what new enhanced Scotland should be granted and how it will affect the rest of the UK.

Enhanced powers include control over income tax and a range of welfare policies.