CANDIDATE availability has deteriorated at a sharper rate and appointments rose at a more modest pace, while pay growth has remained robust in March, new figures show.

The latest survey data pointed to a faster deterioration in permanent labour supply in Scotland.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs found that candidate availability continued to worsen, with declines in both short-term and permanent labour supplies gathering pace.

Overall, the decline was steep and among the quickest recorded in the survey’s history.

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A renewed acceleration in permanent staff vacancy growth was observed in Scotland during March. Temporary job openings also increased at a quicker pace in Scotland, and one that was faster than the UK average.

The latest survey data signalled sustained pay pressures during March. Starting salaries awarded to permanent joiners rose markedly, albeit at a rate that was little-changed from February’s near two-year low.

Temp wages in Scotland grew at a faster pace than in February, but was weak relative to the average across the past 12 months.

Sebastian Burnside, chief economist at Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “Following the marked slowdown seen in the opening months of 2019 in permanent staff appointments, March data revealed little signs of any recovery to the strong levels seen at the end of last year, with growth remaining subdued overall.”