THE proportion of firms not planning any job losses within the next 12 months is greater in Scotland than UK-wide, a survey has found.
Banking group Barclays' 2013 Job Creation Survey, published yesterday, reveals 88% of Scottish companies are not planning to shed jobs over the coming year, well ahead of the UK average of 79%. This will be a relief to employees in Scotland, ahead of data later this month that will show whether or not the struggling UK economy suffered its third recession since 2008 in the first quarter.
However, the survey also shows only half of firms in Scotland plan to create jobs in the coming year, down from 64% in the 2012 poll. And the survey shows a majority of companies in Scotland, and UK-wide, do not want to hire ex-public sector workers. Such sentiment was expressed by 59% of companies in Scotland, and 57% of firms UK-wide.
Barclays said this reluctance was unfortunate.
Ally Scott, managing director of Barclays' corporate banking division in Scotland, said: "While there has been a drop in job creation plans among Scottish businesses, we should take some comfort in the confidence that most workforces will remain stable in the coming year."
He added: "It's unfortunate the reluctance to hire ex-public sector workers remains in Scotland. This continues to leave ex-public sector workers in a challenging position as ... many are having to seek opportunities in the private sector. The majority of Scottish companies are still hedging their bets when it comes to job creation, with sales growth remaining a pre-requisite to growing their workforce.
"While there is a clear recognition there will continue to be a shortfall between private sector hiring and public sector contraction, there is also an aversion to risk among Scottish businesses when it comes to hiring.
"Stability is good news but job creation is needed to stimulate growth."
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