Employer confidence rose in February to its highest level in 12 months, according to a survey of 200 companies undertaken by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) and researchers Market Shape.

All sectors had an overall more positive view of temporary staffing levels in the next year compared to the previous survey, aside from professional and managerial, and hospitality, which had a more cautious view for the next quarter, but a positive view for the longer term.

On the permanent side, professional and managerial staffing outlook becomes less positive, while technology is static and all other sectors see a rise.