Simon Allen

Hertfordshire, UK

Voice and Stuff.

"... organisations are still using the skills drain to address domestic deficiencies."

Actually it shows that they are still trying to save money and keep profit margins high.

"... has a social responsibility to continue to develop UK workers to maintain competitive skilled standards."

In your dreams. Social obligations ceased more than 25 years ago.

"I have serious doubts about how its strategy could possibly lead to the organisation becoming a leading-edge technical force in its field."

It does not want to be. It wants to make money.

"I will never alienate or isolate myself from the very people who can determine the organisation's success."

That's great but keep your CV up to date for when your CEO and main board decide that you are not complying with their policy to save money by offshoring.

"And to Lloyds TSB - how could you?"

Because their shareholders want money now. And besides, by the time this problem really comes home to roost - as mentioned by another reader, in the collapse of technical expertise to follow manufacturing - all the directors who made the decision will be retired on fat bonus.