Rise in general demand for staff in March, report concludes

March saw the overall demand for staff in Britain strengthen, with permanent recruitment levels rising and vacancies growing at the highest rate in seven months.

That's according to the month's Report on Jobs, published by KPMG in association with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation - which also saw the salaries offered to those starting out in permanent jobs remain steady.

Although results weren't as positive for temporary jobs, it seems the nation's recruitment market is definitely getting back on its feet.

The decline in demand for temporary staff was attributed to the change in compulsory working conditions set out by the Agency Workers' Regulations (AWR), Telegraph.co.uk revealed - as well as growing confidence from employers leading to them favouring permanent workers over their short-term counterparts.

Those behind the report seemed mostly optimistic about the findings though, with Ronnie McCombe - a KPMG spokesman - explaining that he found the results to be "heartening" and "encouraging". He did admit the nation shouldn't get ahead of itself however, adding: "There are grounds for cautious optimism but recovery remains fragile and could all too easily be blown off course."

The REC's director of policy and professional services, Tom Hadley, was slightly more enthusiastic. Hadley revealed that the growth in permanent appointments is great news for those looking for jobs and a clear sign of "increasing employer confidence" in Britain.