IT contractors and other flexible workers helped to protect the UK from the worst of the recession, it has been claimed.

It is the ability of the UK workforce to remain flexible and adjust to changing economic circumstances that allows it to be so robust, according to Albert Ellis, chief executive officer of recruitment group Harvey Nash.

As part of a collaborative report with Confederation of British Industry, Mr Ellis said that without this flexibility, the UK could have been as badly affected by the recession as some other European countries.

"[The flexible labour market] has also provided a robust platform for an increase in demand for recruitment, even though it may be very selective at this stage," he added.

Earlier this week, the Recruitment & Employment Confederation warned that temporary jobs have been the first victim of public spending cuts, with 120,000 lost in the last three months.