IT contractors have been informed that the existing Agency Worker Regulations will not be reviewed in January.

The Recruitment & Employment Confederation had hoped that the government would take a look at the guidelines, with a view to making them more attractive to business, thus stimulating more temporary jobs positions.

Although the government has rejected the REC's pleas, IT contractors will be pleased to hear that the authorities have agreed to work with the REC on establishing what constitutes a self-employed worker.

REC chief executive Kevin Green said: "Temporary work is about having instant access to highly-skilled, self-motivated workers who make a real contribution.

"We will get the message to clients that the regulations will not impact on the crucial flexibility that agency work provides."

Steve Huxham, chairman of the Recruitment Society, recently called on the government to provide incentives to small businesses, in order to encourage them to hire more staff.