The CBI is urging the three main political parties to put education, skills and transport at the top of their election manifestos.

According to the findings of their recent CBI Employment Trends Survey half of employers are dissatisfied with the literacy and numeracy levels of young people.

The group, representing the views of bosses are calling upon the government to raise the standards of English and Maths among 16 year olds and to invest in improving flawed basic skills of 15 million adults.

Their research reveals that a third of companies are forced to give school leavers remedial training to compensate for shortcomings in the state education system.

CBI Director General Sir Digby Jones said: “The UK will not be able to compete in the modern global economy unless we have well-educated and motivated employees. The next government must build on the current government’s initiative to increase literacy in secondary education, and improve vocational training. It needs to focus on improving the basic skills of school leavers and achieve dramatic progress in both literacy and numeracy.”

Of transport, the CBI report that for over 400 firms, it is the number-one service affecting competitiveness with 89% saying they are currently dissatisfied with the reforms so far.

The CBI say that the next government must commit at least £300bn of public and private investment into the UK transport system over a decade, referring to it as a ‘crucial’ issue for business.

“Our failing transport system adds to costs and puts the UK at a disadvantage when international businesses decide where to place their investment and jobs. We have been promised radical, transforming improvements in the past but too few of them have been delivered on the ground.”