Tories 'most trusted on education'

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A survey of more than 2,000 parents with school-age children found that more than a third (36%) trust the Tories the most to improve education compared to a quarter (26%) who favoured Labour.

Some 10% listed the Liberal Democrats, while almost a quarter (23%) were undecided.

A similar study carried out last year put Labour in front with 35%, followed by the Tories on 24% and the Liberal Democrats with 10%.

Andy Powell, chief executive of the education foundation Edge, which commissioned the poll, said: "With education such a key battleground for the parties, this poll makes for interesting reading.

"The main parties all say they are in favour of more work-based and practical learning, but this poll shows that parents are now demanding action.

"They are sending a clear message to politicians that we should look closely at how the education system can better meet the needs of young people and the UK economy by providing more practical and vocational learning."

The survey asked parents what changes they would like to see to the education system.

Four in 10 (42%) said they wanted more work-based learning in schools, followed by more emphasis on teaching life skills (38%) and better links between schools and the world of work (31%).

Over a quarter (28%) said learning needs to be more tailored to the individual needs of children, and just under a quarter (23%) said schools should put more emphasis on practical learning.