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England's proposed regional assemblies should take over responsibility for the Connexions service for 14 to 19 year olds, says a report by a local government think-tank.

The report says little account is taken of regional differences, notably the lower level of qualifications of young people in the North and the Midlands.

Connexions is currently run by the Department for Education and Skills while 47 local learning and skills councils drive policy.

This structure is "confusing and chaotic," says the report by the Local Government Information Unit and the Campaign for the English Regions.

Regional assemblies, which could be set up after referenda this autumn, should take control of Connexions and the LSCs, with their £3.9bn youth budget, it says.

- Regions that Work from www.documents.lgiu.gov.uk/regions.pdf