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The Scottish labour market weakened in October, with permanent jobs falling for the fourth consecutive month and at the quickest rate since January 2017, according to the Royal Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs.

Temp billings continued to grow in the month but softened to the slowest rate since June 2016.Elsewhere, vacancy growth eased further, with demand for permanent staff rising at the softest rate for nearly eight years.

Meanwhile, the uptick in temporary vacancies weakened to a 38-month low. Pay pressures remained robust in October as candidate availability deteriorated further. Permanent staff appointments continued to fall during October, stretching the current period of decline which began in July.

Moreover, the reduction gathered momentum, surpassing September's record to become the fastest since January 2017. The decline also outpaced that seen at the national level for the second month running.

Meanwhile, temporary staff billings continued to rise, albeit to the softest extent in four months. This trend was mirrored across the UK, with temp billings growth also easing at the national level. The pace of expansion remained stronger in Scotland, however.

Recruitment agencies across Scotland signalled an increase in permanent vacancies in October – a trend which has existed each month for the last nine years.

However, the rise was the softest for over seven-and-a-half years and only marginal overall. Growth of temporary vacancies also softened during October. The improvement in temporary staff demand was the slowest since August 2016 and below the series long-run average.

By historical standards, pay pressures across Scotland remained elevated during October. Starting salaries awarded to permanent joiners increased sharply, with the rate of salary inflation quickening from September's recent low.

Wages for temporary workers rose further during the latest survey period. Despite easing to the slowest since July, the increase was robust and above the series long-run average.

Permanent staff availability declined further in October. The fall quickened from September and was steep overall, with the deterioration in Scotland notably faster than that seen at the UK level.

Short-term staff supply also contracted. The reduction was sharp, despite easing slightly, and outpaced the UK average for the fifth consecutive month.

RBS chief economist Sebastian Burnside said: “October survey data highlighted further signs of weakness in the Scottish labour market, with permanent placements declining for the fourth successive month and at the quickest pace since January 2017.

“Furthermore, the reduction in Scotland outpaced the UK-wide trend for the second month running. Meanwhile, temporary billings rose at the slowest pace in the current four-month sequence of expansion. Vacancy growth also weakened for both permanent and temporary staff.

“Lingering Brexit related uncertainty was a key factor cited by recruiters weighing on hiring in October. A clearer outlook is needed for the Scottish labour market to regain momentum.”