A Key factor influencing the investment decision has been the flexibility established by our employees in adopting new working practices and our positive industrial relations and the ease of use of a highly skilled and supple workforce is vitally important in maintaining our competitiveness. There is struggle for talent from other sectors, for example the finance sector, as well as shortage in certain skill areas such as qualified engineers in electrical and electronic disciplines, software and manufacturing. This demand is reflected in the higher value wages command by the sector, which is about 25% above the UK developed standard. Thus, product development investments only have a positive effect.
