CABINET OFFICE News
Release (CAB/104/08) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 3
November 2008
The Prime
Minister's Strategy Unit has today published 'Getting
On, Getting Ahead,' which analyses the evidence base on
social mobility.
'Getting On, Getting Ahead, a discussion paper analysing the
trends and drivers of social mobility' is based on
independent academic research and identifies key trends and
drivers of social mobility, finds that social mobility remained
broadly stable since 1970. The evidence since 2000 suggests it may
start to rise in future.
The report identifies four key areas where the Government can
have the most significant impact on improving social mobility:
* early years provision of childcare;
* education;
*
post-16 education and training; and
* workplace skills.
The Minister for the Cabinet Office, Liam Byrne, said:
"This report collects the best evidence available on how
easily people can get ahead in Britain. It presents some powerful
lessons from the past and some signs of good news.
"What seems clear is that despite the huge social, economic
and political changes between 1970 and 2000, social mobility
didn't go up - it stayed the same. Now, things look like
they're starting to improve.
"The key for the future appears to be capturing a big share
of high value jobs that will come as the world economy changes
over the next 20 years plus investing in the things, like Sure
Start, school standards, post 16 education and more training at
work to give more people a fairer chance to get on".
In June, the Prime Minister announced that a flagship White Paper
will be published by the end of the year, setting out the
Government's vision of a Britain where everyone can make the
most of their potential.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
1. The Prime Minister announced in his speech to the Specialist
School and Academies Trust on 23rd June 2008 that a flagship White
Paper will be published by the end of the year. To view the
speech: http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page16181
2. The Prime Minster commissioned the Strategy Unit (based in
the Cabinet Office), to produce a discussion paper to provide an
analysis of all the independent academic evidence available on
social mobility and identify the areas where government could make
the most impact, to ensure that everyone in Britain has a fair
chance to succeed. To view the Getting On, Getting Ahead
discussion paper visit http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk
Cabinet Office Press Office 22 Whitehall LONDON SW1A 2WH
Tel:
020 7276 2533
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk