A new report has found that the number of permanent staff placements has risen for the sixth month in a row, which could be good news for IT contractors.

Research by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG has also found a strong rise in the number of contract staff billings, with its rate of expansion close to last month's high.

Kevin Green, chief executive of the REC, has claimed that the results are positive overall, with the number of vacancies suggesting the employment market has begun to recover.

He stated that the labour market has exited intensive care but remains unstable and fragile.

Mr Green added: "While employers are hiring more now than at any other time in the last year, the recovery is tentative and must not be put at risk by taxes or regulatory changes."

Get Safe Online managing director Tony Neate recently warned companies about the growing importance of security, which could lead to the creation of new positions for IT contractors.