England has a longstanding problem with youngsters dropping out of training. Almost half of 17-year-olds in some parts of England have dropped out of fulltime education or training. The statistics show 49% in Thurrock and 44% in Salford have dropped out of school or job training.     Across England,31%of 17-year-olds are not in education or training.     The figures also reveal deep regional divides,with wealthier areas such as Richmon and Harrow recording18% of 17-year-olds out of official education.     The statistics confirm England's poor international standing for staying-on rates in education.     The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development considers England's drop-out rates as among the worst among the industrialised countries.     Regionally,the statistics show Yorkshire and the Humber have the highest rate of 17-year-olds not in full-time education or work-based training at 35%.     Outer London has the highest staying-on rate,with l3%of 17-year-olds having dropped out of official learning.     In the east of England this figure stands at 31%and at 29%in the South West.     Edward Davey,Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary,said the government "should be ashamed"that so many youngsters were dropping out of school.     A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said the government had carried out a series of reforms,with aPS2.5 billion rise in funding for further education. What Edward Davey said suggests that the government   _  .
has done little to solve the problem with youngsters dropping out of school pays no attention to the problem with youngsters dropping out of school is doing its best to deal with 17-years-olds' problems across England will encourage youngsters to stay on in or return to further education