Getting on, getting ahead
- Nov 2, 2008
- 1 min read
Tomorrow I’m publishing a major report about ‘social mobility’ over the last 30 years. What does that mean? Its simple. Is it easier to get ahead and get on today, or harder? There’s some good news – and some powerful lessons from the past. It seems that despite the huge economic, social and political change between 1970 and 2000, social mobility didn’t get better. It stayed the same.
Now, finally it could be getting better. Early evidence from Bristol University shows that parental income could be beginning to have less of an influence on the exam results of kids born in 1990/91. That hasn’t happened by accident. Investment and reform in early years services, schools, vocational education and work-based training are all vital for the future. But our task is two fold. Investing in a more mobile society. And second capturing a big chunk of the high value jobs that come with the doubling of world wealth over the next 25 years, so there’s more high paying jobs to go round. Tory confusion and cuts won’t deliver that.
Thought-provoking post. Social mobility is one of the clearest indicators of whether a society is truly offering opportunity to the next generation. Investment in education, early support, and practical skills training seems essential if we want progress to be real rather than theoretical. Encouraging to see early signs of improvement, but sustained commitment and clear economic strategy will be key to ensuring more high-value jobs and fair access to them.
nice
The name “Xuebaotou” is roughly translated to “Scholarly Fort Head,” where “Xue” means scholarly and “Bao” means fort, giving an interesting hint into the town’s legacy of education and historical importance.
TabooTube is a platform designed to explore and discuss subjects that are often considered unconventional or challenging. By offering diverse and thought-provoking videos, the platform invites users to question the norms and expand their perspectives. It's a space where individuals can engage with ideas outside the typical conversation, all within a supportive and respectful environment.
Thank you, Mr. Byrne, for shedding light on the critical issue of social mobility. Your analysis underscores the importance of sustained investment in education and vocational training to bridge the opportunity gap. It's heartening to see early signs of progress, and I hope this momentum continues. On a lighter note, after engaging with such thought-provoking content, a comforting dish like Chinese Chicken Gravy sounds like the perfect way to unwind.