SCOTLAND continues to trail the overall UK when it comes to new job creation with the growth of permanent staff placements in July accelerating at its lowest rate since April.

The rate of temporary job positions grew at its slowest pace for five months.

New figures from IHS Markit signalled a sharp improvement in labour conditions in July, with salary growth in Scotland at a ten month high.

The latest survey from IHS Markit showed a seasonally adjusted rating of 57.5. Any number above 50 indicates growth, while any number below 50 shows contraction. In June the index was 58, while in February it was 51, illustrating a rate of expansion in the jobs market that IHS Markit called “steep overall”.

The UK had an index of 58.4 in July, up from June’s 55.9.