UK small business managers have demanded that the government introduce tax breaks for skills and workforce investment.
Findings by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) show that 85% of smaller company managers believe that more official support should be given for training and recruitment during the recession.
The survey's results also suggest that the majority of human resources professionals realise that cutting down skills investment now could have an impact on future business performance.
Lord John Eatwell, chief economist at the CMI, said: "The positive, 'can do' approach of British managers should be cherished."
He added that managers were "convinced" that skilled employees would form an "integral part" of the UK's economic recovery and therefore hoped the government would introduce relief measures which recognised this.
A recent investigation by the telecommunications group O2 found that 20% of small companies were expecting to grow during the economic downturn.
Managers demand tax breaks for skills investment
