Payments urged for science students

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The CBI urged the Government to do more to persuade youngsters to study science subjects, including tackling the "misconceptions" about careers in technology and engineering companies.

More specialist science teachers were needed, school building and labs should be improved to make the subjects more attractive and careers advice must be upgraded with £120 million of new funding, urged the business group.

Director general Richard Lambert said youngsters were doing better than ever in science tests at the age of 14, but "hardly any" were going on to study Triple Science at GCSE level in England.

"We need to create an environment in schools that reflects the importance of science, and the value of studying it. We also need to send an unambiguous message to young people who are good at science that science as a career can be fascinating and worthwhile, and will reward you well."

Mr Lambert said the UK could be on the verge of a new industrial revolution because of huge new projects such as the £16 billion London Crossrail scheme and the prospect of new nuclear power stations.

"The question is whether our fellow citizens will do more than just pour concrete," said Mr Lambert, adding that the Crossrail project alone will create jobs for thousands of workers with engineering skills.

The CBI said bright children should automatically be entered for Triple Science at GCSE level, currently taken by just 7% of 16-year-olds.

The policy would affect 250,000 14-year-olds ever year and would tackle the problem of so many young people "missing out" on a raft of potential careers, Mr Lambert argued.

The CBI said bursaries of £1,000 should be given to graduates taking science, technology, engineering and maths degrees to help them pay their tuition fees, at a total cost of around £200 million a year.