Specifically answering Lord Puttnam's point Mark Hansen, director of business development for Lego Universe, said children were very good at determining the underlying ethic of a virtual world.

BBC: Boys playing with handheld game console,

If you are supported in school and your ego remains intact, then you emerge with a strong work ethic and a different view of the world.

WSJ: Dyslexia Workarounds: How Henry Winkler, Gov. Dan Malloy, Delos Cosgrove Got Creative to Get Ahead

According to a report on national competitiveness by the World Economic Forum, the French rank and file has a much stronger work ethic than American, British or Dutch employees.

ECONOMIST: Schumpeter

But he also adapted himself to the world, not least in fighting to overcome dyslexia, which he says gave him a work ethic that infuses every part of his life (perhaps too much: he describes his six-decade marriage to Edye in glowing terms, but regrets spending too little time with his growing sons).

ECONOMIST: Uncommonly unreasonable

They also suggest that in the long run a cultural shift could be needed "towards greater belief in the value of education and the importance of a hard work ethic... to ensure England's future prosperity and economic success in an increasingly competitive world".

BBC: Top maths pupils 'fail to keep up with world's best'