Jobs 'Strongest' Since Recession

The jobs outlook is at its strongest level since the recession, with increasing numbers of employers planning to take on staff, according to a new report.

Manpower said hiring intentions in Scotland were at a seven-year high despite uncertainty being expressed in some quarters about independence.

The employment group surveyed more than 2,000 firms and found that optimism on jobs was also being expressed in the public sector, which has been hit by spending cuts.

Mark Cahill, managing director of Manpower, said: "Consistency has been the byword for the UK's employment outlook over the last 18 months. While job prospects have been strong, it's only now that we're seeing a return to pre-recession hiring plans.

"We're seeing broad-based growth across permanent roles, the self-employed and contractors.''

Hiring confidence in the public sector has risen more sharply than in private firms, said Manpower.