Slide in reading and maths league tables is a blow for the Government

9.30.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 7th Dec 2007

School class

UK secondary school students have slipped down an international league table of reading and maths standards. Based on test results in 2006 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the UK has lost the top 10 positions it held for both subjects seven years ago. This follows figures released last week, which showed that the UK had tumbled down the league table for school science.

Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson David Laws said "This is a real blow to a Government that has promised to improve education. British children's attainment has gone down in almost every league table despite a massive investment programme. The reality of these league tables is that compared to pupils in other countries our children are short-changed at school. This should prompt a fundamental review of our education policy to explain why we are failing to do as well as other countries."