Businesses are being told to go back to school - to help pupils in their local area get the skills they need.

The call, from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is not as altruistic as it may seem; in fact, it's pretty self-interested.

BCC director general David Frost said "Our education system is failing the majority of young people and businesses are forced to recruit people without basic skills."

He says involving businesses at local level could be a "key driver" in raising standards and giving students a better understanding of the world of work.

The BCC is worried that today's school leavers, with fewer than 50% of 16-year-olds achieving five GCSEs at grade A-C, will end up as an "economic underclass".