§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on estimates of skills shortages recorded in surveys conducted by private or public bodies which he has evaluated for each standard region; and if he will make a statement. [25766]
§ Miss WiddecombeThe 1994 "Skills Needs in Britain" survey found that 11 per cent. of medium and large firms were experiencing recruitment difficulties; the 1994–95 "Skills Needs of Small Firms in Britain" survey found that 8 per cent. of small firms were experiencing them.
The following table shows the percentage of employers experiencing recruitment difficulties in each of the two surveys by Training Enterprise and Education Directorate region:
Per cent. TEED region Skill needs in Britain 1994 (medium and large firms) Skill needs of small firms in Britain 1994–95 South-east 16 7 London 11 13 South-west 6 5 West midlands 13 6 East midlands 17 10 Eastern 7 Yorkshire and Humberside 8 9 North-west (excluding Greater Manchester) 10 4 Greater Manchester 13 Northern 8 4 Scotland 7 11 Wales 3 10 Recruitment difficulties are not necessarily due to skill shortages. Employers may not be able to fill posts because job seekers are looking for_ better pay or conditions, or employers are too selective.