Almost four in 10 local authorities have increased permanent staff member headcount over the last two years, according to new research.

The research, conducted under the Freedom of Information Act by PeoplePerHour.com, also reveals the number of freelancers employed by local councils had risen by over a third during the same two-year period.

Xenios Thrasyvoulou, chief executive and founder of PeoplePerHour.com, says: “Councils must learn from how the private sector responded to the recession. They’re under unprecedented pressure to deliver value for tax payers, yet these figures show they’re still addicted to the same outdated ways of recruiting.

“They simply can’t continue to hide their heads in the sand and ignore the example set by the UK’s private companies.

“The numbers show some councils have seen the light and understand the benefits of contracting out work to the private sector,” observed Xenios Thrasyvoulou. “But the fact remains that nearly two thirds of authorities are still reluctant to do so.

“No doubt the recent Comprehensive Spending Review will force these councils to reassess how they manage their human resources. They can learn a lot from how the private sector has responded to the new economy over the past two years.”