JOB prospects have taken a tumble as the independence referendum draws closer, according to a major employment agency group.

While there are 3% more Scots employers planning to increase rather than decrease staffing levels, that is a six percentage point drop in three months.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey examines responses from 2,102 UK employers.

It asks whether employers intend to hire additional workers or reduce the size of their workforce in the coming quarter.

Levels of confidence in the Scottish jobs market have taken a tumble, said Amanda White, of Manpower UK.