Migrants sought to fill skills shortages

Many small and medium companies are turning to migrant labour because of the „shockingly low opinions“ employers have „of the skills, experience and productivity“ of British-born workers, according to a survey published today.
The study by the British Chambers of Commerce said a shortage of suitably qualified and committed British workers was storing up problems for the economy.
Its findings come hard on the heels of a survey by the Institute of Directors, which reported that employers rated migrants as harder-working, more reliable and better skilled than their British counterparts. David Frost, the BCC’s director-general, said: „Migrant workers have helped to fuel the UK economy, but it is troubling that so many employers do not want to employ British workers. The UK’s chronic skills shortages must be addressed by the government, and reform of the school curriculum is needed to ensure that young people enter the workforce with the necessary skills and the right attitude to get on at work. It is unsustainable to import our way out of the failings of the UK education system,“.
Some 25.6% of small and medium sized businesses employing migrant workers pointed to a shortage of British-born workers with required skills.
Another 23.3% reported that migrants had a better work ethic, while 17.4 per cent said they were more productive than British workers.
Only 5.6% cited lower wage costs as a reason for employing migrant workers, said the BCC.