A SKILLS shortage is growing as fewer than 20 per cent of businesses recruit ex-offenders, according to a new report released today.

Published by IT firm DSA Connect, which runs programmes to support prisoners in developing work skills, the company warns that a lack of job opportunities for former prisoners is driving reoffending due to difficulties covering bills after leaving prison.

DSA Connect’s Harry Benham said: “Sadly, these findings show that without urgent measures being taken, we risk trapping people in a cycle of crime and imprisonment.”

The figures showed that only 16 per cent of businesses said they have recruitment policies in place to target ex-offenders while more than half of the firms warned that they are experiencing skills shortages.

The research comes amid government efforts led by former businessman James Timpson to reduce reoffending.

The findings highlighted concerns that a lack of post-prison employment options leads to reoffending.