UNEMPLOYMENT looks set to fall this year as figures suggest firms across Scotland are planning a recruitment surge.
According to accountants and business advisers BDO LLP, businesses' hiring plans have reached a six-year high - approaching levels not seen since before the economic crisis.
BDO's latest Business Trends report shows a marked rise in its Employment Index from 102.7 in February to 104.3 in March, a year on year rise of 11.6.
The accountants claim this points to expansion in the labour market and a continuing rise in employment.
Martin Gill, partner and head of BDO LLP in Scotland, claims the report's findings will be welcomed by the UK Government.
He said: "After a difficult few years, the above-trend growth we're seeing in businesses' hiring intentions bodes well for George Osborne ahead of the election.
"The Chancellor cannily qualified his recent pledge to create a 'full employment' economy.
"But with growth strongly on track and employment levels rising, he may be able to claim success sooner than might be expected."
According to the report, business output is also high with levels reaching their second highest-ever reading at 102.9. This has only ever been higher in May, 2006, in the middle of the pre-crisis boom - indicating that the economy is expanding well above its long term trend.
The firm claims this is bolstering optimism among businesses with BDO's Optimism Index returning to January's all-time high of 103.8.
Unemployment in Scotland rose by 3,000 to 179,000 between December and February, but the number of people with jobs increased by 16,000 to 2.575 million at the same time, the Office for National Statistics found.
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