Scottish Workers See Starting Salaries Rise While Number of Jobseekers Drop

Scottish starting salaries for new recruits have risen strongly in September while the number of people available for work has fallen due to employers taking on more staff.

According to the Bank of Scotland survey for September, the number of job vacancies has continued to grow in the country, albeit at its slowest pace in 11 months.

"Starting salary pay rose strongly, reflecting the growing lack of available candidates for vacant positions," said Donald MacRae, chief economist at the Bank of Scotland.

"The barometer is showing almost four years of monthly improvement, resulting in the rate of unemployment in September of 5.5%. The Scottish economic recovery continues."

The survey analysed responses from around 100 recruitment consultants in Scottish cities.

Edinburgh produced the slowest rate of growth for the number of jobs available while Aberdeen, the country's oil hub, is apparently showing the fastest rise in placements for workers.