The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says more firms are expecting to take on staff this year but they're worried potential recruits aren't up to the job.

The FSB wants trainers and employers to work together to improve the workforce's grasp of reading, writing and arithmetic, as well as improving work-based training.

Spokesman Paul Henly told icLiverpool:

"It is only reasonable to expect school leavers and graduates to be able to read, write and add up.

"But unfortunately this is increasingly not the case - small businesses clearly feel the education system is churning out young people without even the basic skills they need."