The 50 per cent target for university admissions should be scrapped to help promote vocational and academic qualifications as equal career options, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
The BCC has published its manifesto ahead of the general election, warning the government that the business vote is still up for grabs.
The manifesto calls on the government to break down the barriers to job creation and retention “to create a climate that enhances, rather than hinders, employment growth”.
The BCC’s employment demands include a comprehensive review of the over-complicated system of government bodies delivering skills. It also calls for future increases in the National Minimum Wage to be capped in line with inflation.
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Bill Midgley, president of the BCC, said that in the 21st Century, the competitive pressures facing British firms were greater than ever.
“Our businesses are rising to this challenge and a future government must do the same,” he said. “By adopting the policies outlined in our manifesto, the next administration can ensure that the UK remains one of the best places to do business.”
