The world, as the media constantly report, is experiencing a shortage of food, and even when food is available, the rising prices are rendering it unaffordable to the poor.

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But Serco met four out of five standards assessed, compared with only one in a report last year which said there was a shortage of GPs and nurses.

BBC: Serco 'shortage of calls staff' says CQC report

The Sibert report - as it became known - revealed a shortage of staff, lack of nursing support and poor access to medical records.

BBC: London

Its report said that in the oil industry, firms reported a shortage of pipe fitters, riggers and technicians.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Skilled workers 'harder to find'

She said the CQC had asked Serco for a report by 27 February on how it will deal with the shortage of staff and the CQC would be going back to check on progress.

BBC: Serco 'shortage of calls staff' says CQC report

For example, 85 percent of the executives surveyed report that they face significant obstacles in dealing with big data, including security issues, a shortage of trained staff, and the need to develop new internal capabilities.

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The bed shortage faced by the hospitals during last winter's flu crisis highlighted the need for additional resources, the report urges.

BBC: Health funding shortfall appeal

There is no shortage of evidence that the current system of local government could be improved: last year, an Audit Commission report criticised the committee system as an enormous waste of time and money.

ECONOMIST: Local government