Recruitment in the UK in February saw the number of permanent placements grow at the strongest rate since last May, according to new official figures.

The latest Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG Report on Jobs showed that the demand for permanent staff rose at a very sharp rate in February, adding to an overall growth rate that was the fastest for the last four months.

The chief executive of the REC, Kevin Green, said that the numbers were indicative of a clear improvement in the labour market and growing confidence among private sector companies.

“Demand for staff also rose at the fastest pace for four months, so job seekers should take heart that there are vacancies out there,” Green stated. “Slowly, private sector employers are becoming more confident as the gloom, caused by a slowing economy late last year and fears about the eurozone, recedes.”

He said that the figures did show a slight decline in recruitment in the temporary market but that agency work was still an “important outlet” for employers and job seekers, with more than a million temporary workers placed in any given week.

KPMG’s Bernard Brown said that the situation with temporary positions meant that optimism should remain cautious, but added, “The latest report raises hopes of a Spring revival in the jobs market.”