There was a 28% increase in UK contract job postings year over year in February, according to the latest Hiring Trends analysis produced by Apsco in conjunction with Bullhorn.

The uptick suggests demand for skills persist, though uncertainty also appears to be preventing some employers from increasing their permanent headcount. Apsco noted postings for permanent jobs fell 29% year over year.

“Given the turbulence that’s been created by macroeconomic issues and planned reforms to employment legislation, it’s no surprise that permanent hiring is still looking uncertain,” Samantha Hurley, operations director at Apsco, said in a press release. “However, the fact that demand for contractors in the professional hiring market is up annually demonstrates that employers still need resources and skills — they’re just not yet ready to increase headcount permanently.”

This could be positive news for recruiters, Hurley said.

“For recruiters, this is a promising sign for two reasons; firstly, it shows that there are still pockets of opportunity to tap into — as our data last month also echoed,” she said. “Secondly, it does indicate that a potential return to optimism in hiring could be on the cards. Recruitment is cyclical, and when perm drops, contract increases. That’s always been the case. Seeing this trend does suggest that recruitment is still stable enough for now.”

Hurley continued, “Our hope is that the government quickly recognises the detrimental impact of some of its decisions on the UK’s labour market and takes appropriate action as a result.”

Apsco is the trade body for professional recruitment companies.