Inept government call centres are contributing to staffing problems and hampering recruiters' efforts to beat UK skills shortages, warns the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

Figures from the Liberal Democrats show more than a third of telephone enquiries made to government call centres since 2003 were abandoned, left unrecorded or engaged when the caller tried to get through.

REC managing director Gareth Osborne says poor-quality service is hampering agencies' effectiveness.

Jobseekers, especially those from abroad, are often left without vital information concerning essential legal matters such as work permit applications.