Edward Leigh MP, Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, said:
"The Department's new ambition, announced in 2007, is that, by 2020, 95 per cent of the population of working age will be at least functionally literate and numerate - the basic level of skills needed to get by in life.
"But, even if that ambition is realised, England will be raised only to the current standards of the top 25 per cent of OECD countries and they will probably have forged ahead by then.
Dismal picture
"This is a dismal picture, both for the many who face diminished prospects in what they can achieve in life and for the competitiveness of our country in the world economy. There is an immediate need to gather up to date information on where we are at present.
"The Department must follow up its 2003 Skills for Life survey to find out just how effective its programme has been in improving the basic skills of our population."