SCOTLAND's employers are more confident than they have been at any time since the recession, a survey by Manpower has found.

The employment agency said hiring intentions appear to be unaffected by any uncertainty over the referendum on Scottish independence.

Operations manager Amanda White said: "This is a busy time with the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup in Gleneagles and this could be triggering the confidence we're seeing."

She noted the programme to upgrade the NHS hospital network is fuelling demand for skilled administrators in Glasgow and Aberdeen. Edinburgh is leading the way in contact centre and manufacturing roles.

The agency found a balance of eight per cent more firms planned to hire staff than to reduce staffing levels in Scotland, in line with the UK average.