There are currently fewer Apprenticeship opportunities per head for people in London, than in any other part of England, according to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Only 11,090 people took part in an Apprenticeship in London in 2007, compared to 32,210 in the North West of England, a region with a similar sized population.

The Taskforce will be headed by Skills Minister David Lammy, and will comprise employers, local Government representatives, college principals and training providers. It will focus on public sector employers and small and medium-sized enterprises, which comprise 86% of all businesses in London.