Once-in-a-generation reforms are needed to fix an education system that "is not serving the interests of white working-class children", an independent inquiry has concluded.

It was set up last summer to look into why such children are the lowest-performing large demographic in the school system in England.

The inquiry's recommendations include expanding apprenticeships and free public transport for under-21s.

Inquiry co-chair Baroness Morris said responsibility "cannot sit with schools alone" and was not due to a lack of aspiration or effort from young people.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said multiple generations had been "robbed of opportunity".

"The communities in this report are my communities. I know what they've given this country and what this country has failed to give back," she said.

The Independent Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes, external was commissioned by the multi-academy trust Star Academies and is supported by the Department for Education.

It spoke to thousands of young people and their parents as well as hundreds of teachers. Education data about white working class pupils was also analysed as part of the year-long review, looking at the 1.25 million young people in England who are white British and in receipt of free school meals.