Multi-sector recruiter Impellam Group has issued a trading update for the group’s preliminary results for the year ending 31 December 2008.

The statement said that the group’s trading in October and November became increasingly tougher especially in permanent placement markets and less so in temporary markets.

The statement added that headcount and cost base is being “actively managed” to reflect the lower levels of activity and the group expects that, on a proforma basis, underlying earnings for 2008 will be moderately below market expectation.