Job application numbers rising

By PETER RANSCOMBE
Published on 28/12/2012 00:00

COMPETITION for jobs north of the Border is hotting up, with previous benefit claimants starting to look for work following Prime Minister David Cameron’s changes to the welfare state.

The average number of applicants per job rose by 8 per cent during 2012 to just over 16, according to a survey by the Totaljobs website.

The number of jobs posted on the website increased by 2 per cent, but the number of applicants jumped by 10.4 per cent.

Steve Clark, regional manager for Scotland, said: “Eurozone uncertainly, further spending cuts, consumer unease. All of these make it difficult for employers to take the risk of hiring, especially in permanent positions.

“As a result, we are seeing fundamental shifts in the labour market with more people working freelance and far more people working part-time.”