IT contractors have been given some good news - it seems that since the recession IT budgets have become too important to cut.

According to Gerry McLaughlin of ITContractor.com, the has been a "sea change" towards IT contractors in recent years, with many seeing investment in the area as essential to the survival of the business.

During the previous recession, companies found that slashing IT budgets to save costs simply meant that their competitors got a jump start on them, so this time firms have been more protective, Mr McLaughlin claims.

"This is great news for those that work in the industry, especially for IT contractors, as it has suddenly made the industry far less risky," he said.

A recent survey by the Chartered Institute for IT has found that 62 per cent of its members think that the government should accelerate, rather than cut, its investment in public service IT.