The United Kingdom has issues.
Major issues.
Mind you, I have seen this first hand here in Canada as well when trying to hire a caregiver for my son. People make appointments and don't show up, accept an offer of employment and then disappear-literally-after a few days, complain that the (well described) job is too hard, or too fill-in-the-blanks other excuse.
I think it's mostly because many people do not have to work nowadays. They live with their parents longer and stay in school longer, and postpone adulthood (ie: earning one's own keep and being financially independent) indefinitely.