Pay freezes in the public sector must not prevent it from continuing to attract the top IT contractors, a leading recruitment organisation claims.

Temporary cost-cutting measures in the public sector should not hide the fact that significant reform is needed, according to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC).

Earlier this week, the prime minister announced a pay freeze on salaries for senior positions across the public sector, with £3 billion expected to be saved by 2014 as a result.

The REC says that limiting pay is understandable, but should only be considered a short-term measure.

"Pay freezes and other short-tem cost cutting measures must not mask the need for deep-rooted reform to services across the public sector," said Keith Green, chief executive of the REC.

Mr Green went on to recommend bringing in temporary contractors who could facilitate this change without adding to full-time employment costs.

The REC has launched its own Make it Work campaign, designed to provide officials with a guide for reform of public sector working.