Digby Jones fears youngsters who cannot read and write will struggle

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is calling for an "assault on the failings of the education system".

It says too many of England's school leavers cannot read or write or do arithmetic properly.

The government insists much progress has been made in improving basic skills since the introduction of strategies on literacy and numeracy.

But the CBI's director general, Digby Jones, said: "My fear is that many who cannot read, write or add up properly will find themselves unemployable - and the problem is only going to worsen.

"This is a scandal, but it is not a new scandal. It's not a problem that has been created by this government. Indeed, ministers have done a lot to chip away at the problem since 1997.

"But let's be honest, no political party has cracked this one."

Bigger progress

His organisation said it was poor that only about one in two school leavers in England achieved GCSE maths or English qualifications at grade C or above.

The government suggests the claims are unfair.

A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said the recent international Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (Timss) reported that primary school pupils had made bigger progress in maths than those in any other country.

"This summer's results for 14-year-olds also showed that we are making good progress in raising standards in the core subjects of English and maths for 14-year-olds."

Under proposals put forward by Mike Tomlinson for a shake-up of the education system for 14 to 19-year-olds in England, all school-leavers would be required to take a "core skills" test.

This would cover literacy, maths and information and communication technology.

The government is due to respond to Mr Tomlinson's proposals in the New Year.