Skills shortage costs British businesses £2bn a year, survey finds

Open University says firms pay extra for recruitment, temps and inflating salaries and advises them to train their staff

Skills shortages in Britain are costing businesses more than 2bn a year in higher salaries, recruitment costs and temporary staffing bills, according to research by the Open University.

Its survey of 400 firms found 90% had faced difficulties recruiting workers with the required skills in the last 12 months. The findings will add to concerns that employers are already struggling to fill key jobs even before a potential clampdown on immigration once Britain leaves the EU.

Related: Almost half of highly skilled EU workers 'could leave UK within five years'