The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has met with the new employment relations minister to discuss issues relevant to IT contractors.

REC chairman Kevin Green and the group's director of external relations Tom Hadley met minister Edward Davey, primarily to discuss Agency Workers Regulations.

Four key issues underpinned the talks, including the definition and tests involved with establishing who is legitimately self-employed.

Also brought up in the meeting was the issue of IR35 tax regulation, which is a very sore issue for many IT contractors.

Mr Green said that the meeting had been very positive and a follow-up appointment would see them discuss these matters in greater detail.

"Our concerns were recognised and we have been asked to submit practical ideas for limiting the cost and bureaucracy on agencies and their clients," he said.

The REC recently revealed that the growth rate in the temporary jobs market is still positive, but slowed significantly in July.