Employers who responded to a survey by the Chamber of Commerce are struggling to fill vacancies and find experienced staff.

The government needs to do more to address the concerns of the business community, says the Chamber.

It polled 78 members across a range of businesses as part of a strategy to increase engagement in the general election debate.

Chamber chief executive Rebecca George said: ’The survey results give a valuable insight into the opinions of the business community as we count down the days to the general election.

’The data it provides builds on the work we have done already around our business manifesto which aims to ensure that business and economic concerns are considered by every voter and prospective MHK.’

Fifty-nine respondents (75%) said finding on-island staff to fill vacancies was a ’definite challenge’ or ’somewhat a challenge’, while recruiting suitably experienced staff was a challenge for 60 businesses, representing 76% of those polled.

Sixty-five per cent said growing their workforce was important.

The Chamber said that employers’ top three concerns all related to the government, adding: ’A government that listens to business concerns and addresses them promptly was the top priority, followed by a desire to see the next administration doing more to focus on short-term solutions and long-term strategies.

’Third on the list was a call for the government to do more to support innovation.’

The key factors that act as barriers to economic growth were identified as excessive or impractical regulation, government policy and lack of transparency, staff and recruitment and concerns about the economy and economic support.

The Chamber says the survey results will be used to formulate the basis of questions to put to candidates to ensure that the issues concerning business and the economy are at the forefront of the debate.