1.   Last September the Government relaxed rules on foreign workers coming to Britain to combat skills shortages.

2.   This sounded like a neat solution to the skills shortage.

3.   A skills shortage exists and the reintegration of former freedom fighters has proved difficult, with many incidents of undisciplined conduct.

4.   As a result Britain is weakened by skills shortages and the potential of millions of under-educated people remains untapped and unfulfilled -- wasted.

5.   As baby boomers begin to retire, skill shortages at all levels will be exacerbated unless companies take steps to retain and retrain them.

6.   As unemployment drops, the number of businesses beginning to report skill shortages and higher staff turnover is growing.

7.   At every stage, the risk lies in a skills shortage.

8.   By working longer, older people could partly alleviate skills shortages.

9.   In this case, skill shortages did fuel a small growth in higher education.