Four in 10 (43%) of public sector employers say it will be unnecessary to make permanent staff redundancies and would recruit more permanent staff this year, according to research from accounting and finance staffing specialist Hewitson Walker.

The research also shows 86% think having the flexibility to approach various agencies and agree rates on an ad hoc basis gives them the best value for money in terms of service and spend.

Around 14% suggest driving cost efficiencies through a review or the introduction of a preferred suppliers list.

Seven in 10 (71%) are expecting up to a 10% reduction in departmental spending this year.