Businesses at risk as ‘record high’ hiring problems threaten economic recovery |  UK |  News

Businesses at risk as ‘record high’ hiring problems threaten economic recovery | UK | News

According to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), recruitment problems are “at an all-time high” as three in four companies struggle to fill vacancies.

They said 61 percent of companies were actively recruiting staff in the second quarter, similar to 60 percent in the first quarter.

But 76 percent had trouble finding staff.

Of the 5,700 companies surveyed, the industry reported that the most problems were construction, followed by manufacturing, manufacturing and hospitality.

BCC policy head Jane Gratton said: “Companies continue to be under tremendous pressure to fill vacancies, but record levels of recruitment difficulties show no signs of improvement.

“Solutions are urgently needed so that companies can keep their doors open during these difficult times.

“We have written to the government with a three-point plan on how they can work with businesses to resolve this.

“Companies should be encouraged to find new ways to unlock talent pools – by investing more in staff training, adopting more flexible working practices and expanding the use of apprenticeships.”

The survey also found that fewer than one in three companies had increased their investment in recent months.

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“Employers cannot wait for a new prime minister before this is settled. Shortages affect not only their ability to service the order books, but also the morale and well-being of their people.

“The economic challenge we face is huge and unless we start to fill the gap created by 1.3 million job openings, we cannot return to growth.”

This week, Confederation of British Industry Director General Tony Danker wrote an open letter to the Tory party asking it to prioritize economic growth.