BICS weighted Scotland estimates: data to wave 59

Recruitment

In Wave 59, businesses not permanently stopped trading were asked if they had experienced any difficulties recruiting employees in May 2022.

Figure 4: Difficulties in recruiting employees had been experienced by 44.9% of applicable businesses. The highest rates of recruitment difficulties were reported by the Accommodation & Food Services (52.8%) and Administration & Support Services industry sectors (48.5%).

Source: Office for National Statistics – BICS – Weighted Scotland Estimates – Wave 59

In Wave 59, businesses not permanently stopped trading were asked how the number of workers from within the EU has changed over the last year. Note that businesses were asked about the number of EU workers in May 2022 compared to May 2021. 

EU workers change question: How has the number of workers from within the EU at your business in May 2022 changed compared with this calendar month last year?

• number of workers from within the EU has increased
• we employ workers from within the EU, and the number has stayed the same
• number of workers from within the EU has decreased
• not relevant, as have not employed workers from within the EU
• not sure
• prefer not to say

Overall, an estimated 2.5% of businesses reported that the number of workers from within the EU has increased in May 2022 compared to May 2021.  An estimated 8.5% of businesses reported that the number of workers from within the EU has decreased – rising to 17.6% in the Accommodation & Food Services industry sector and 16.5% in the Administration & Support Services industry sector.