IT contractors have been given some good news after October's weak job market figures by the latest KPMG/Recruitment and Employment Confederation Report on Jobs.

According to the report, the most recent data indicate stronger rises in both permanent placements and temporary billings, despite a persistent slowdown in growth over the last few months.

Meanwhile, demand for staff continued to rise, albeit at the slowest rate in over a year, meaning IT contractors and freelancers could enjoy an early Christmas present in a greater number of positions available.

"Whilst government cuts are yet to bite hard in the public sector, the private sector shows resilience in these turbulent times," commented Bernard Brown, partner and head of business services at KPMG.

Meanwhile, IT recruitment agency Intapeople recently found that younger IT graduates are having difficulty securing employment, possibly because more experienced candidates are filling more junior roles.