The UK economy has grown by 1.1 per cent in the second quarter of 2010 according to the latest figures, a much better performance than most experts had predicted.

Office for National Statistics data shows that this growth spurt is the best seen in the last four years and four times faster than the previous quarter.

Reacting to the news, the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) said that this was good news for job seekers.

The group's chief executive Kevin Green said the news will boost business confidence, which will in turn promote further growth.

Hiring has been on the increase in the private sector in recent months, so the all-round outlook is positive, but businesses must continue to push forward, he said.

"We need to see this trend accelerating if we are to balance the 700,000 jobs that will be lost in the public sector in the next few years," Mr Green concluded.