Employers defend hiring migrants with 'stronger work ethic' than British people

EMPLOYERS have hit back over government calls for companies to take on more British workers, saying that too often they lacked the right skills and the right attitude for the jobs on offer.

Lawyers also warned that firms could face claims for racial discrimination if they favoured British candidates over foreigners entitled to work in the UK.

The row broke after Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith used a keynote speech in Madrid to appeal to firms to "give our young people a chance" rather than just handing jobs to immigrants.

David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said employers were taking on foreign workers because they were better qualified and had a stronger work ethic than young British applicants.

"They expect young people to come forward to them who are able to read, to write, to be able to communicate and have a strong work ethic," he said.

"Too often that is not the case and there is a stream of highly able eastern European migrants who are able to fill those jobs.

"They are skilled, they speak good English and, more importantly, they want to work."

Neil Carberry, of the CBI, said firms wanted to give young people an opportunity, but they had to pick the right applicant.

"Tackling unemployment is a challenge for everyone, and businesses want to give young British people a chance," he said.

"Employers should choose the best person for the job. The challenge is to ensure that more young Britons are in a position to be the best candidate.

"The government's focus should be on boosting private sector growth."