Business leaders have again raised the alarms bells about the lack of basic skills of school and college leavers.

Almost half of recruiters have failed to see a satisfactory English standard among young people, a recent study of 550 employers showed. More than a third who responded were concerned with the lack of basic numeracy skills in this age group.

Young people were not able to make informed choices about their future because of inadequate career advice in schools and colleges, according to the report for CBI.

‘Its alarming that a significant number of employers have concerns about the basic skills of school and college leavers. Companies do not expect these institutes to produce ‘ job ready’ young people but having a solid foundation in basic skills, such as numeracy and literacy is fundamental for work said CBI director general Jon Cridland