Skills and Productivity: why does it matter?

Productivity in the UK has been sluggish since the financial crisis of 2008, continuing to lag other G7 countries. This is a problem which damages living standards and the ability to invest in public services. It is why the Government has made productive growth its number one mission. But how well do businesses and workers understand this as a driver for growth? This short paper considers the findings of a recent survey by City & Guilds which explores the perceptions of productivity and skills development in the UK workforce, focusing on how businesses and individuals assess productivity.