Nearly a million British adults lack everyday basic skills, according to new research from WorldSkills London 2011.

When asked about a range of simple everyday skills, one in five Brits admitted they would be unable to complete even a third of the tasks, while one in 20 said they could perform just one of the 15 skills presented to them.

Six in 10 Brits are unable to treat a sprained ankle, while half admit they cannot carry out everyday tasks such as changing a car wheel (57 per cent), hanging wallpaper (51 per cent) or putting up a shelf (50 per cent). And a third of Brits do not know how to wire a plug (35 per cent). Executive director of WorldSkills London 2011 Aidan Jones hopes that people across the UK will take advantage of the chance to learn something new that could prove to be a vital life skill.

“Our findings clearly demonstrate that there are some people in Britain who would struggle to complete some very basic everyday tasks.

“Things like this can catch people out: Something as simple as not being able to turn off the main water supply in your home, which more than one in three people admit they couldn’t do, could land someone in real trouble if there was a plumbing emergency.”