500 new insurance roles in Glasgow

Scotland's booming insurance sector has received another boost with esure's announcement that it is to create 500 jobs in Glasgow.

Insurance has stood out as a relative hiring haven north of the border, and esure's recruitment drive provides a welcome boost to the country's beleaguered financial services sector.

Sadly, these jobs are unlikely to be particularly highly-skilled and are in addition to the call centre roles already carried out in its Glasgow Equinox office, which deals with sales and claims from members of the public.

Still, it's hiring activity nonetheless, and 250 of the roles are going to be recruited for over the next 18 months, with the remainder due to be filled by 2014.

The expansion plans were aided by government intervention, as the firm was offered 1.4m under the Regional Selective Assistance programme.

First minister Alex Salmond pointed to Scotland's "outstanding workforce and global reputation for excellence".