McDonald's boss says he's sceptical about 'green shoots'

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Easterbrook said, in his view, that businesses should take talk of an improving economy with a pinch of salt: "I am typically a glass half-full person, but I am a little concerned that some of the talk is premature. I think we're through the worst of the financial crisis, but the area that gives me the greatest cause for concern is the lagging indicator of unemployment. In reality there is very little correlation between what is happening in the stock market and what is happening in the jobs market." The fast-food boss also said that unemployment is retail's biggest fear adding that it saps confidence from the workforce. Easterbrook also talked about the impact the economic downturn has had on McDonald's ambitious apprenticeship scheme: "I am very concerned, because what business needs is stability. It's very difficult to commit long term – which you have to with a programme like this – if you're not sure how things will look in 12 to 24 months time. "For a western economy, our record on basic skills is as poor as it can be. It's vital that we get this right if we're to come out of this recession strongly. For us to be a productive economy without a basic level of skills is always going to be a challenge." He added that he believes the recession will put McDonald's in a stronger position, as weaker competitors continue to struggle with making cuts such as operating hours.