PM vows to boost youngsters’ skills and ensure the next generation gets education required to succeed in industry
England revealed as the only developed country where 16 to 24 year olds are no more literate or numerate than 55 to 64yr-olds
THERESA May will next week highlight how today’s young people are no better educated than their grandparents as she unveils a new training revolution.
A report by the international OECD think tank recently found that England is the only developed country where 16 to 24 year olds are no more literate or numerate than 55 to 64-year-olds.
In his column in The Sun today, James Forsyth reveals the devastating statistic has driven the PM’s thinking behind her Modern Industrial Strategy.
A major element to it with be upskilling the next generation so they can compete in a fast-changing world, it has emerged.
Business Secretary Greg Clark – who has drawn up the comprehensive blueprint with his No10 boss – will launch it on Monday with a withering critique on how education has stalled in the last 30 years.
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No10 aides also said it will try to close gaping historical imbalances between London and the South East and the rest of the country.
It was also revealed last night that the plan will contain plans to make Britain a world leader in cutting-edge energy storage in batteries.
A new research institution will be set up to pioneer the new technology, that could revolutionise the electric vehicle industry.
It will be lead by Chief Scientific Advisor Sir Mark Walport
Britain invests just 1.7% of its annual national income on research and development., significantly below the OECD average of 2.4%.