The number of staff appointments increased in June, according to a survey by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (Rec).

The data revealed a strong rise in permanent staff placements, with engineering and construction the most sought after.

However, the pace of growth was the slowest for five months and there are concerns that the government's cuts will add to unemployment figures.

"This is an encouraging sign that the jobs market is stable and, in some sectors such as construction and engineering, rapidly growing," said Rec's chief executive, Kevin Green.

"However, with the predictions of up to 600,000 job losses in the public sector, it is still too early to tell how much of a knock-on effect this will have on job creation in the private sector."