SME Business News

British Chamber of Commerce director general, David Frost is concerned at the lack of skills among the young people seeking employment in the UK. The Chamber reports that skill levels and attitude to work, are so poor that firms across the country are increasingly employing eastern European migrants to fill jobs rather than local unemployed people.

Frost says that almost every company that he has spoken to  across the UK, employs east European workers, a trend that is set to continue this year. “Everyone gives the same two reasons, they have much better skills and a much better attitude to work than local people.” says Frost, adding that “One business owner said he had forgotten how much work one person could do in a day.”

The Chamber says that business owners are calling for the education system to be improved but equally that the benefits system is need of an overhaul, to encourage young people to work.

“It cannot be the answer to just bring in more east European migrants while we have half a million 18 to 24 year olds unemployed.”