The latest league tables of schools in England show the “shocking truth” about basic skills, the director general of the British Chambers of Commerce has commented.

Annual performance tables, released this week, showed that 45.8% of English pupils at key stage 4 achieved the equivalent of five GCSE A* to C grades when English and Maths were included.

David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said the figure was “unacceptable”. “Talking to businesses across the country it is clear that they have to spend valuable time providing basic training in English and Maths to new employees,” he said.

“I hope that the publication of these results forces the Government to reassess how English and Maths are taught in our schools. Vocational subjects have helped to boost pass rates but merely mask the shocking truth that too many children are not performing well enough in basic skills.”