The public sector is facing a talent exodus, according to Melanie Whitehall of Matchstick Recruitment.

Following on from yesterday’s report from the CIPD and KPMG, Whitehall told Recruiter: “While we have seen a definite upturn in optimism from our private sector clients, we are seeing nothing but despair from our public sector clients.

“Candidates in this sector are already worried about their jobs and are beginning to look to the private sector for new roles.

“With no budget to replace these departing candidates on a permanent basis, many of our public sector clients are becoming further reliant on temporary staff.

“Although this is a useful short-term solution, in the long term it costs more and the transient nature of temps will lead to a loss of knowledge.”