Britain is becoming a more “unattractive” place to hire people permanently as wage pressures and tax hikes push firms towards automation and offshoring, recruitment giant Hays has warned. But it said there were several specific challenges facing the UK that was making it a less competitive place for work. Tom Way, its UK and Ireland chief executive, said: “The UK is a great place to work if you are an employee but it’s becoming more unattractive to hire people permanently. “Wage pressures and national insurance changes are pushing employers to explore automation and offshoring.”The national minimum wage rose in April, boosting pay for many workers but driving up labour costs for employers. Hays said the cost pressures have pushed companies to think about work where “humans are essential” and then digitalising or outsourcing the rest.