With the budget just a matter of hours away the wish list from
UK businesses continues to grow with tax breaks for skills
investment the latest to be added to the list.
Managers quizzed by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
said that unless the government steps in then companies will not be
able to support staff development.
The silver lining in the CMI's latest half yearly Economic
Outlook is that 13% of those operating in the IT sector expect the
recession to have a beneficial impact as they help customers
control costs and improve efficiencies.
"Business managers are convinced that a skilled workforce will
be an integral part of the recovery process, and are recommending
that, especially in these difficult times, government should
provide further financial support for skills development and
training," said Lord John Eatwell, chief economist at the CMI.
"This would be an investment in a competitive future, and should
be a priority for the recovery programme embodied in the Budget,"
he added.
Overall the CMI survey found that there was widespread optimism
about the long-term.
This story originally appeared on Microscope.