Cuts in public sector expenditure do not spell the end for recruitment into the sector, according to findings from public sector recruiter Synergy.

Its research shows that in 2009, it witnessed a 70% increase in the number of enquires for entry level revenue and benefits staff from local authorities, in comparison to the previous year (2008).

And it says January is already proving to be a record breaking month for public sector enquires for Synergy with the number of enquiries greatly surpassing those in January 2009.

Kieran Ryan, managing director at Synergy, says: “Although the public sector as a whole will undoubtedly experience budget cuts this year, that is not to say there will be no demand for recruitment – far from it.
 
“Clearly there are some departments where demand rises in a recession, for example those departments dealing with the increased number of benefits claimants and some health issues caused by rising unemployment.
 
“Not only will they need more people, but we believe that many departments which raise revenue are also set grow this year.”