Per pupil expenditure in England has risen from under £2,500 in 1997 to £5,550 today. This has supported a sustained increase in attainment—with 350,000 more children achieving five good GCSEs since 1997.
As Lord Leitch set out in his report on the UK’s long-term skills needs, the increasing skills profile of the UK work force over time has contributed to economic growth.
Lord Leitch also concluded that a skilled work force is increasingly critical if the UK is to continue to grow and meet global challenges.