Most trades people are having problems recruiting staff, blaming a lack of local skilled employees and too much red tape, a new survey shows.

Research by trade retailer Screwfix also found concerns over a lack of focus on encouraging people to train for a trade.

A survey of 500 people found that four out of five were optimistic about the future, expecting business activity to remain the same or grow over the next year, but almost three out of five reported recruitment problems.

A third of those questioned said poor public perception of a career in a trade meant school-leavers were not interested in a career in the construction industry.

Graham Bell, chief executive of Screwfix, said: “Tradespeople tell us they have full work diaries but many struggle to recruit skilled employees when looking to support their growing business, so it is clear that focused efforts are needed to drive recruitment and training into the trades.

“There is much focus on a reported construction skills challenge with various reasons given including loss of talent during the downturn and a lack of new entrants joining the trade.

“That’s why, now more than ever, all parties including government, suppliers and education providers should work together.”