According to the results of a survey published earlier this week almost half of 5 year old children in England are not ready for school because they are insufficiently developed.

The man in charge of the survey, Professor Sir Michael Marmot, highlighted low standards of reading and numeracy and an inability to communicate as being of particular concern. He went on to blame poor parenting, poverty and cuts to children’s services.

I’m sure he’s right, but I bet a pound to a penny that most 5 year olds know how to operate the television, use a mobile phone and have little difficulty in playing their computer games.