The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has urged business to show more support for young people following the tuition fee rises.

In a letter to CBI members, director general of the business group Richard Lambert says that business must ‘play a much more active role than it has in the past in informing students about its likely future needs’.

Lambert adds: ‘Business will need to help [students] choose the right subjects to study, to offer relevant work experience and, where appropriate, to work with universities to develop courses that will provide attractive employment for graduates.

‘In a demand-led system, employers will have an interest in helping to shape the choices made by the most talented students, rather than waiting until their university career is almost over.’