Confidence among IT contractors about new job opportunities in the public sector has rebounded significantly this year, according to a new survey by umbrella employment provider giant group.

According to a giant survey of 600 contractors, 15% expect growth in job opportunities in the public sector, up from just 8% surveyed last year. However, confidence is still greater overall in financial services and support services, even if confidence in the former has taken a significant hit, as the full results of the survey, shown in a graph below the ad, reveal:

Matthew Brown, managing director of giant, says: “With the government’s austerity measures still in full effect, public sector organisations remain under pressure to keep permanent headcount down.

“Even though budgets are stretched, some departments are keen to kick-start IT projects that might have been stalled or put on hold since the coalition government was formed. After all, many of these IT projects will deliver immediate savings.”