Firms must make sure that they are getting value for money from their recruitment budgets as the economic situation worsens, according to one expert.

A study by fish4jobs reveals that 64 per cent of companies are having difficulty recruiting employees due to increasing monetary constraints.

However, the study also found that there are still a large number of jobs being advertised, so companies could be missing out on the best candidates.

Joe Slavin, chief executive officer of fish4jobs, said: "It is evident that recruiters are being more cautious with their money, but recruitment will continue to be an important cost unless the jobs market slows down."

Businesses planning a recruitment drive should tale the time to plan it out in fill to get the best possible value for money, he added.

Last week, a BBC investigation found that some employers are making illegal checks at the Criminal Records Bureau when appointing staff.

According to the news provider, some companies are obtaining information on spent convictions that applicants do not have to disclose.

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