Some 94 per cent of British businesses want to see political parties putting transport at the top of their list of priorities, according to a new survey.

A poll for the CBI found that more businesses cited the issue as important issue for their competitiveness than any other policy area.

In second place as a key concern was education, with 92 per cent saying it was a major factor in their performance.

However, the research also found widespread dissatisfaction with the current state of public sector reforms.

It revealed that 89 per cent of firms are dissatisfied with the reform of public transport, including 53 per cent who are very dissatisfied.

And 73 per cent of firms described themselves as unhappy with the education system.

"Every party needs the wealth business creates to fund the plans we're about to see them spell out," said CBI chief Sir Digby Jones.

"We need the party leaders to publicly recognise the importance of profit.

"None of them can provide extra police or new schools without the tax companies pay and the tax-paying jobs they create. 

"As the next parliament progresses, competitive pressures - especially from India and China - will increasingly put that at risk."

He added that a better transport system was "crucial for business" while Britain would lose its ability to compete "unless we have well-educated and motivated employees".

"The next government must build on the current government's initiative to increase literacy in secondary education, and improve vocational training," Sir Digby said.

"It needs to focus on improving the basic skills of school leavers and achieve dramatic progress in both literacy and numeracy."