Firms find skills shortage

The extent of Britain's skills shortage problem was highlighted yesterday when a survey reported that firms were unhappy with the expertise of job applicants. Two out of three organisations said there were shortages of suitably skilled applicants, especially in retailing. The public sector and charities were also badly affected, the survey of 557 organisations by recruitment specialists Reed Personnel Services found.

The biggest shortage of skills was reported in the South West, East Anglia, Scotland, the Home Counties, the Midlands, Wales and the South. The North East, the North West and Thames Valley were better off than other regions.

Reed chairman Alec Reed said: "Skills shortages have clearly emerged as one of the most crucial issues facing UK business today."