IT workers in the UK live in fear for their jobs, and are seeing their budgets shrink faster than in any other European country.

These are the sobering findings of two pieces of research published this week. A survey by IT staffing solutions provider InterQuest found that 50% of IT contractors working in the UK are concerned about the future of their jobs.

When the company asked the same question back in February 2008, only 12% reported such concerns.

“No sector is immune from economic fluctuation but any downturn in IT is only likely to be temporary,” insisted InterQuest’s executive chairman Gary Ashworth.

Meanwhile, research backed by SOA infrastructure vendor Progress Software has found that a higher proportion of IT departments in the UK have suffered budget cuts (52%) than in any other European country.

What is more, the UK’s IT sector also topped the charts for increasing expectations, with 91% of respondents saying they are being called on to deliver more than ever before.

“This is a tough time for IT, which is now being seen as an area where cost can be reduced,” said Dennis Allan, Progress Software’s EMEA VP.

Further reading

Decline in senior IT roles

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