The chief problem is that children's educational attainments are falling, even as more money is being lavished on the schools.

ECONOMIST: Education in Thailand

He calls for the apprentice's accomplishments to be robustly tested and validated, and says they must include high quality attainments in maths and English for those who have not got GCSEs in the subjects before they start.

BBC: Apprenticeships 'should last a year', report says

"I have no doubt that Prof Ebdon has the qualities and determination to help those students from low-income and under-represented groups to secure the places in higher education that their attainments and potential show they deserve, " he concluded.

BBC: Cable defends Ebdon appointment