Cameron Q&A: 'Inspire our pupils' firms' leaders urged

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David Cameron issued the call in response to a question from Claire Young, a finalist in The Apprentice TV series who is now working to promote enterprise in schools.

She warned that teenagers are leaving education without the skills to equip them for the world of work and asked him what his Government would do about it.

"I don't want to write another chapter for the curriculum," Mr Cameron replied. "If we back off the bureaucracy, I hope (teachers) will take the initiative and get the local Alan Sugar into the school to talk about setting up a business and enterprise, about the joy of working for yourself, about the joy of creating jobs and wealth for others."

The Prime Minister praised The Apprentice and Dragons' Den programmes for encouraging a sense of entrepreneurialism and enterprise but said Britain should "revere" small business leaders. "People in this room, business people who have got an energy for what they do, get hold of the local school, ring up the headteacher, say 'I would like to come in and talk to the morning assembly about my business and what a great business it is'.

"If you think back, why did you start doing the job you were doing? What is that first attracted you? There was probably a moment when you decided you wanted to be an engineer because of something you read or someone you met.

"We are never going to turn out the next generation of entrepreneurs unless all of you get into the schools and start inspiring.

"Not just the government, the teachers, the governors taking their share, but business people as well putting back a bit of what you got out."