The UK skills gap is threatening businesses’ growth potential, according to findings published today by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

A survey of 91,000 employers revealed that 22 per cent of vacancies remained unfilled because of under-qualified candidates.

The figure represents a widening of the skills gap; just two years ago just 16 per cent of jobs were reportedly open due to poor skills on offer.

"It's great that more businesses want to recruit,” said Trades Union Congress (TUC) general secretary Frances O’Grady.

“But with jobseekers outnumbering vacancies by four to one, it's hugely frustrating that across the UK a large number of jobs go unfilled because of local skills shortages.

"It's also concerning that so few employers are recruiting directly from our schools, colleges and universities, especially as those that do are very positive about taking young people on.”