Smaller firms in Britain are finding it more difficult to recruit skilled staff than their counterparts in other European countries, new research shows.
A survey of more than 400 small to medium-sized organisations found that the problem is particularly acute in Wales and the Midlands.
More than 40% of British firms polled by financial services firm GE Commercial Finance said finding skilled staff is a “major concern”, compared with fewer than 20% in Germany.
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But British firms have more confidence in their national economy and are less concerned about the threat posed by competition from low-wage countries.
The research was conducted in Britain, Germany, Italy and France.