But Connexions' Chief Executive Sian Rees said she was on the whole pleased with the Ofsted report.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Cumbria | Youth service praised by Ofsted

Previously local authorities provided careers services to schools mainly through local Connexions Service.

BBC: Most schools 'have reduced careers advice'

Unison, the public services union, said cuts of up to 25% to the Surrey Careers and Connexions service, would contribute to long-term unemployment.

BBC: Young people outside a job centre

Among the announcements at Beijing Design Week, however, US based Material Connexions, the leading materials library and consultancy, announced a new Beijing office, its first in China.

FORBES: Beijing Design Week Signals China's Creative Intent

Connexions offers advice on careers, education, work and personal issues.

BBC: Young people outside a job centre

It gave the example of a school reducing the 65 days of careers guidance support from its local Connexions Service in 2011-12 to 16 days of bought-in support in 2012-13.

BBC: Most schools 'have reduced careers advice'

It has opened the new centre on Bevan Street which will offer the advice services which used to be provided at The Metro and at Connexions, which has also closed.

BBC: The Junction, Lowestoft

Inspira, formerly Connexions Cumbria, which provides careers advice for the county council, has estimated that about 20% of 18 to 24-year-olds in Cumbria are Neets - not in employment, education or training.

BBC: Cumbria Council's career service cuts cause job concerns