Employing more, but less productive, workers lowers the average skill level of the labour force.

ECONOMIST: Productivity growth

If only, he sometimes ponders, Oskar could reach the same conclusion, using all his undisputed skill and energy to put the party on a path much like that of Tony Blair's New Labour.

ECONOMIST: Bodo Hombach, Germany��s trouble-shooter

And in fact some Labour ministers have indicated that with unemployment down there's a skill shortage and in fact some of the people we're talking about are going to be very, very much needed in this country?

BBC: News Online