BICS weighted Scotland estimates: data to wave 63

Worker Shortages

In Wave 63 businesses were asked whether they are currently experiencing a shortage of workers. An estimated 38.3% of businesses reported experiencing a shortage of workers - rising to 48.8% in the Transport and storage sector, and 41.0% in the Manufacturing sector.

The BICS also asks businesses that are experiencing a shortage of workers, about how their businesses has been affected by this – the specific question asked is shown below.

Worker Shortage question: How has the shortage of workers affected your business?

• employees working increased hours
• had to pause trading entirely
• had to pause trading of some of the business
• had to recruit temporary workers
• unable to meet demands
• other
• not sure
• my business has not been affected

Figure 4: In Wave 63, 67.9% of businesses reported that the shortage of workers has resulted in employees working increased hours, and 34.0% of businesses reported that they have been unable to meet demands due to a shortage of workers.

Source: Office for National Statistics – BICS – Weighted Scotland Estimates – Wave 63