Why education is a key election issue in the Midlands

School budgets and university tuition fees are just some of the issues in education that politicians will be making pledges on over the coming days - but what are the issues facing young people here in the Midlands, as they prepare themselves for the world of study or work?

Full report by our Education Correspondent Peter Bearne:

Here's the pitch from the main political parties directly to you on education:

How big an issue is education for voters here in the Midlands? Bob Warman was joined in our studio debate by Chris Keates, General Secretary of the teaching union, the NASUWT; Professor Dennis Hayes, Head of the Centre for Educational Research at the University of Derby; John Tomasevic, Chief Executive of the Torch Academy Group and Dame Asha Khemka, the Principal of West Nottinghamshire College.