Steps need to be taken to encourage more female IT contractors to enter the financial services industry, an organisation has claimed.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has revealed that it is taking steps to ensure that members are aware of every development which could remedy this imbalance.

Philip Curry, the organisation's external relations advisor, claims that recruiters have a key role in encouraging companies to diversify their workforces.

He states: "Their skills and contacts mean that they can draw on a wide pool of candidates. Many top city firms are already working with their head hunters and recruiters to diversify their work forces."

Mr Curry says that the REC's accounting and financial services group will work with the government equalities office to ensure that all actions are achievable.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development recently highlighted the fact firms may begin to roll out home working technologies following the recent severe weather, which could create new opportunities for IT contractors.