Press Release: Ministers must act urgently to improve social mobility
Commenting on the publication of the final report by Alan Milburn’s Panel on Fair Access to the Professions, David Willetts, Shadow Universities and Skills Secretary, said:
“Alan Milburn has produced a valuable analysis of how social mobility has stagnated in recent years.
“Many of his ideas - on careers advice and school reform - follow Conservative policy. We also welcome his suggestions on broadening access to university. The report would have been even better if it had tackled the need for strong families and better training opportunities.
“Instead of Gordon Brown’s sterile attempts to create dividing lines, Alan Milburn has worked on a cross-party basis with Gillian Shephard on his Commission, and the report is far better as a result. The onus is now on Gordon Brown to listen to what Alan Milburn has said - and finally take action to improve social mobility.”
Notes to editors
1. The final report of the Panel on Fair Access to the Professions recommends:
- ‘Closing the attainment gap by expanding the supply of good schools, particularly in disadvantaged areas, and by giving parents new rights of redress in those areas’ (p. 63)
- ‘Abolishing the Connexions careers service and replacing it with a dedicated, professional and flexible careers advisory service in every school and college’ (p. 63)
2. Alan Milburn today wrote:
‘There is a lot of good thinking out there, if it can be brought together. The Conservatives say that city academies should be extended in both primary and secondary schools. They also say, rightly, that the supply of education places could be opened up to greater competition, particularly in areas of underperformance.’
Source: The Times, 21 July 2009, available online: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6721103.ece
3. The Conservative Party proposed replacing Connexions careers advice provision with a new, independent, professional Careers Service in July 2008.
Source: Conservative Party, Building skills, transforming lives, July 2008, available online: http://www.conservatives.com/Policy/Where_we_stand/Universities_and_Skills.aspx