Minister’s plea to bosses

A GOVERNMENT minister last night told UK bosses they should hire British workers before immigrants.

The Business and Education Minister said taking on British employees was better for UK companies and the wider economy

MP Matthew Hancock urged firms to avoid the “easy option” of filling jobs with foreign workers when they could train local recruits.

The Business and Education Minister said taking on British employees was better for UK companies and the wider economy.

The Coalition’s immigration clampdown means foreigners now fill 55% of job vacancies, compared with 74% under Labour.

But Mr Hancock believes firms could still hire a larger proportion of British workers.

“To build a strong, long-term economy we have got to play our part in government, and businesses need to take their responsibility.”

MP Matthew Hancock

He said: “As vacancies rise and unemployment falls further, it is the duty of companies, especially big business, to take on local young people – not immediately take the easy option of recruiting from abroad.”

Mr Hancock, who is a close ally of Chancellor George Osborne, said he understood why so many firms took on foreigners.

But he added: “To build a strong, long-term economy we have got to play our part in government, and businesses need to take their responsibility.