Social mobility white paper focuses on the early years

Tuesday, 13 January 2009 10:58 AM

By Ian Dunt

The government has publish a white paper on social mobility, with a strong focus on funding early-years education.

The paper comes just as new research shows some of Britain's most deprived areas are being hit hardest by the recession.

The report, titled New Opportunities, calls for early years provision to boost child development, improved education for pupils from low-income backgrounds and support in the transition from secondary to further education.

Gordon Brown said: "During this global economic downturn we must continue to invest in people so they have a fair chance to achieve their potential.

"The world economy is set to double and the expansion of digital and green industries will offer new opportunities. We must be ready to seize these opportunities and ensure that these better jobs can be captured by everyone."

Cabinet minister Liam Byrne added: "Britain is an aspirational country. But unlocking ambition isn't free. It needs real investment now if our future performance is to match our future potential."

There will be an injection of £57 million to extend free childcare for disadvantaged two year olds.

All "vulnerable" pregnant mothers will be given access to a dedicated family nurse to help through pregnancy and first two years.

Effective teachers will be offered £10k bonuses to come and stay at the schools which need them.

To see all the key measures in the white paper click here.

The Liberal democrats accused the government of not making the big decision necessary to really change the situation.

"It is a scandal that in today's Britain two children born at the same time in the same hospital still have wildly different life chances based simply on the income of their parents," said party leader Nick Clegg.

"After more than a decade in power the government must wake up and stop tinkering at the edges."

The Lib Dems and the Conservatives have released reports, timed to coincide with the white paper, showing slow progress in the government's attempts to tackle equality issues in Britain.

A piece of research for the Conservatives showed deprived areas suffering most under the effects of the recession.

Birmingham saw the largest rise in its claimant count last year, soaring by over 5,000 people whilst at the same time it is ranked as the tenth most deprived local authority in England.

Liverpool, which is ranked as the most deprived local authority area in England, saw the fifth highest rise in its claimant count and Manchester, which is the fourth most deprived area, had the sixth highest rise in its claimant count, up to almost 13,000 claimants.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling said: "This completely undermines Labour's attempts to say they are going to tackle social mobility. Labour has had ten years to make a difference to social mobility but have failed."

A report commissioned by the Liberal Democrats showed children's life chances are still strongly affected by their parents' socio-economic status.

"Despite progress in reducing child poverty and heavy investment in education, a child's chances of success in Britain today are still largely dependent on the background and earnings of its parents," said Martin Neary, chief executive of Barnardo's and chair of the social mobility commission which published the report.

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• domestic policy
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• equality
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• poverty