IT contractors looking for work can take heart from the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which show that unemployment has fallen to 2.47 million.

Relating to the three months up to May, the data represents a fall of 34,000 in the total number of jobless people in the UK, when compared to the previous quarter.

However, the number of part-time workers has escalated dramatically - up 148,000 on the previous quarter - as it seems more people are working shorter hours after being unable to find a permanent job.

Reacting to the figures, the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) said the figures indicated encouraging stability in the jobs market.

"But the public sector still has an opportunity to avoid massive job losses through learning from the private sector how costs can be reduced while at the same time, holding on to its best talent," said REC chief executive Kevin Green.