David Frost, the director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), says the UK should adopt a baccalaureate system instead.

This would include vocational and work-based elements, which Mr Frost says would produce people more useful to British business.

He said:

"We would like to congratulate all those young people who have worked so hard for their A-levels and achieved the results they wanted today.

"There is, however, continuing frustration among the business community that the current system is too narrow and restrictive and is not providing our young people with the skills they will need in an increasingly globalised economy."