Social mobility in PM's sights

Monday, 23 June 2008 12:00 AM

Gordon Brown will call for a greater focus on improving social mobility in a keynote speech later today.

The prime minister will tell an educational audience he wants Britain to push forward on social mobility by improving the country's education system.

Downing Street says the speech is an important one, covering all aspects of education from childcare up to adult skills.

Newspapers say it will include a key announcement about £200 grants for low-income parents, to be awarded in return for their children regularly receiving basic medical attention.

The speech is also expected to include an attack on Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher's record on social mobility. Mr Brown is expected to say a "lost generation" has been created among "Thatcher's children".

It comes amid a raft of government announcements on related issues. The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be making an announcement on child poverty, while the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) will make an announcement on adult skills.

Tags:
• children
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• domestic policy
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• education
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• young people