Literacy and numeracy skills among school-leavers have declined over the past decade, despite increased levels of education funding by the government, according to business leaders.

Research by the Institute of Directors (IoD) found that 71 per cent of its members think the writing skills of new recruits have deteriorated in recent years, while 60 per cent feel numeracy has declined. Over half (52 per cent) reported that recruits’ basic ability to communicate had worsened.