A new law is to be introduced to allow apprenticeship providers and staff from colleges to visit schools as part of careers advice.

The move follows concerns that some schools may only be recommending apprenticeships or other technical and professional routes to the lowest-achieving pupils - effectively creating a 2-tiered system of careers advice.

The new legislation will mean schools will be required by law to collaborate with colleges, university technical colleges and other training providers to ensure that young people are aware of all the routes to higher skills and the workplace, including higher and degree apprenticeships.