UK's neighbours win on language
20th April 1995, Page 12
20th April 1995
Page 12
Page 12, 20th April 1995
— UK's neighbours win on language
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• Hauliers might have problems coping with telephone callers speaking a foreign tongue, but few other British business sectors do any better.
According to Department of Trade and Industry evidence, 74% of foreign language calls received by UK firms are abandoned at the switchboard.
As Trade Minister Richard Needham puts it: "UK companies cannot go on burying their heads in the sand. We must achieve the language competence of our competitors if we are to maintain a competitive exporting edge."
The British position contrasts sharply with our European neighbours, where 80% of companies offer foreign language training to staff as a matter of course.
It is no surprise that the Government is anxious that Britain pulls up its socks: quickly.