James Forsyth James Forsyth

The shameful state of social mobility in Britain

Today’s report from the Sutton Trust on social mobility in Britain makes for depressing reading. Their tracking of the Millennium cohort of children suggests that by the age of seven, even the least able children from rich households have drawn level with the very smartest children from the poorest fifth of households.

Social mobility has, shockingly, remained static for 30 years. This lack of social mobility in Britain will not be reversed while the current situation where only 10 percent of people from the poorest fifth of households get a degree compared to 44 percent from the richest twenty percent of homes persists.

Making Britain a more a meritocratic place should be a priority for both parties. It can not be right that in 21st century Britain who your parents are is still the largest determinant of your social status. 

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