Contractors are unlikely to be affected by any "radical changes" regarding the EU Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), an expert has stated.

Tom Hadley, director of policy and professional services at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said it is unlikely that the government will introduce any massive changes due to the AWR.

Prime minister David Cameron has sought legal advice on how the new rules can be interpreted in the UK. The media has reported that he is seeking a second opinion after being unhappy about the advice offered to him by the attorney general.

However, Mr Hadley dismisses this effort as "window-dressing" and says it is most likely down to the government looking like they are doing a lot to help the business community.

"It is worth bearing in mind that the benefits of any re-working of the regulations would be counter-balanced by the fact that the industry would be left with a very tight window to get to grips with any new text, " he added.

This comes after the Association of Recruitment Consultancies reported that contractors will receive guidance on the AWR by the end of March.

The draft is hoped to be open for comment at the end of the month, with final guidance to be made available by the end of April or early May.