Conditions within the Scottish labour market improved in November, led by higher demand for employees, according to the Bank of Scotland (BoS) ‘Report on Jobs’.

As a result, the number of people placed into jobs in both the permanent and temporary sectors increased from October.

The BoS Labour Market Barometer (a composite indicator designed to provide a single figure snapshot of labour market conditions) registered 50.9 in November, up from 48.4 in October.

This was the first time the Barometer has posted above the 50.0 no-change level in six months and indicated a slight improvement in the health of the Scottish labour market.

Average salaries for permanent staff also increased for the first time in six months.

Bank of Scotland Labour Market Barometer

                   Scot       UK*

Oct’09        46.2         48.5

Nov            49.6         52.8

Dec            51.6         54.7

Jan’10        52.0         55.1

Feb             52.9         56.4

Mar             54.2         56.4

Apr             54.3         56.8

May            52.3         56.3

Jun             49.4         55.8

Jul              48.1         56.1

Aug            47.9         54.9

Sep            46.8         52.8

Oct             48.4         52.0

Nov            50.9         51.8

50 = no change on previous month

*KPMG/REC Report on Jobs