WIREDGOV

The CBI today (Tuesday) commented on the publication of a report from Save the Children stating that poor children who fall behind in the three Rs by the age of seven already have their life chances virtually determined.

Rob Wall, CBI head of employment and education policy, said:

“This report highlights the huge economic cost of allowing so many of our young people to leave school with poor levels of literacy and few qualifications.

“It supports the CBI’s own research which suggests that raising levels of attainment in the UK’s schools to match the best in the world could add more than 1% to GDP every year. Or £8 trillion over the lifetime of a child born today.

“This shows clearly why improving education is one of the most important elements in the UK’s long term growth strategy.”