The number of people placed in permanent jobs during January has rebounded, according to the latest data from the Royal Bank of Scotland.
At 54.7, the seasonally-adjusted Permanent Placements Index rose from 46.8 in December to post above the neutral 50 threshold and signal an upturn in permanent staff hires for the first time in four months.
According to surveyed Scottish recruiters, improved demand for permanent staff and new projects supported the upturn at the start of the year. However, a sharp and accelerated fall in temporary billings was also recorded in January.