Dear silicon.com... Migrant techies and BBC web budget busters…

Two things in particular this week have been getting silicon.com readers reaching for their keyboards in despair or admiration; the first being the claim the UK needs skilled migrants to plug the skills gap, and the second being the Beeb's over zealous web spending habits…

Skills gap row
UK plc 'needs more skilled migrants'

This is total rubbish! Employers should start thinking about older applicants, many of whom are well qualified but cannot obtain work. I am in my early 60s, am well qualified, (including 4 MCP's obtained in the last three months) but I do not even get the courtesy of an acknowledgement when I apply for a job online.
-- Mike Richards, Northants

Editor's choice


If you look at one thing on the site this week make sure it's this Tech Hotspots exclusive special report detailing the top 20 Tech Hotspots from around the world as voted by a panel of experts.

So we started by bemoaning the lack of graduates, then went to preferentially importing immigrants with the right skills, then with extreme reluctance admitted that women might be able to do the job, completely ignored all the people over 40 with the required skills and now we've gone back to immigration again.

I could weep.
-- Karen Challinor, UK

I have worked at a high level in IT for the last 10 years. Maybe if companies in the UK started paying decent wages for IT staff then they would not need to look for "cheaper" migrant workers.
-- Anonymous, Midlands

There are plenty of suitable people in the UK to provide IT skills. Their only problem is that they have grey hair or may need some training.
-- Charles Smith, London

Budget-busting Beeb
BBC warned after busting website budget

The BBC's online service is not, with small exception, a justified charge against the Broadcast Licence Fee. The BBC has far exceeded its remit and seems to be just growing and spending. Its internet services can really only be justified where used as a direct complement to the TV service.
-- Chris Goodman, Fareham

I used to work at BBC Worldwide (BBC's commercial arm) and I always said to anyone who would listen that the BBCi website should have been under BBC Worldwide's control and be a commercial proposition, rather than being paid for by the licence-payer. The licence fee is for broadcasting, people! Too many non-licence-payers get the benefit of the BBC website.
-- Alan McKenzie, London

The BBC's website is great and hugely popular. Currently bbc.co.uk is the 46th most popular website globally. The lack of money-grubbing affiliate links and banal advertising is wholly refreshing.

BBC's remit/public service is being fulfilled pretty well. Get off their back.
-- Anonymous, Birmingham

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