Scotland's employment prospects for the first quarter of this year are the worst in the UK.

The depressing picture is revealed in the latest survey from employment services group Manpower.

It shows Scotland sinking to the bottom of the UK league table as the only area to record worsening prospects.

The fact employers are forecasting more job losses than gains puts economic expectations at their lowest level since 1993.

Overall the UK picture looks better than last year with the East Midlands topping the poll for job prospects.

The Manpower survey also shows a change in British industry - with electronics and telecommunications companies reporting greater confidence while utilities are showing the reverse.

Contrasting pictures

The study is in contrast to November's figures on unemployment which fell in Scotland.

They were the lowest since 1976 - coming down by 1,000 to 124,900 - and represented 5.1% of the workforce without a job and claiming benefit.

The Office for National Statistics reported that the overall UK unemployment figures also fell. The total claimant count dropped by 10,600 to 1,192,400.

Scotland Office Minister Brian Wilson said at the time he was encouraged but there was no for complacency.

He said: "There is a lot of positive evidence that can be drawn from these statistics about the success of government policy in Scotland.

"However, despite the fact that these statistics are positive on all counts, we must not become complacent and the effort to create more jobs remains a top priority."