PERMANENT job placements in Scotland by recruitment agencies fell last month at the fastest pace since mid-2009, and salaries grew at the weakest pace for nearly four years, as energy sector weakness and the Brexit vote weighed.

Publishing these findings from its latest monthly survey, compiled by financial information company Markit, the Recruitment & Employment Confederation noted the Scottish economy was underperforming relative to the UK as a whole.

And REC chief executive Kevin Green declared that the weaker energy sector and uncertainty arising from the European Union referendum result had had a “significant impact” on business confidence.

He added: “The jobs market in Scotland is going through a tough patch, with fewer people securing permanent jobs each month and salary growth slowing down.”

The number of people placed in permanent jobs by recruitment agencies in Scotland fell in December for a third consecutive month, at the fastest pace since June 2009, and this contrasted with albeit slightly reduced growth in such placements in the UK as a whole.

In contrast to weakness in such placements and slowing growth in salaries for permanent employees in Scotland last month, the REC survey showed the sharpest rise in hourly pay rates for temporary staff since May last year.

Mr Green said: “Employers are showing hesitancy when it comes to making hiring decisions."

He urged the UK Government to provide “clarity on their priorities for the EU negotiations and the likely impact on employers”.