With the pandemic already having a devastating impact on the poorest groups, the Commission says that it is imperative to tackle inequality more effectively. It is calling for Government departments to have a new joined-up approach to promoting social mobility after failing to act on many of its key recommendations in the last seven years.
Along with poverty, other areas of ‘major concern’ include the early years - with 45 per cent of the workforce living on tax credits or benefits - and issues around health inequalities and race linked to socio-economic background, which have also been exposed by Covid-19.
The Commission’s new report ‘Monitoring Social Mobility’, based on an audit of Government action on social mobility, concludes that a dedicated Government unit should be set up to coordinate action and ensure its recommendations are delivered.
Dame Martina Milburn, outgoing chair of the Commission, said the Prime Minister’s goal of ‘levelling-up’ opportunity would now have to take place in the context of the major economic and social dislocation caused by the pandemic.
‘Social mobility has never been more important. It is the poor and the young who will suffer most from the economic downturn,’ says Dame Martina. ‘To succeed, action will need to be driven from the heart of Government. At present there is no meaningful coordination between departments on the social mobility agenda, and no single force championing social mobility across the government.’
The report shows that prior to the pandemic there was some evidence of progress in increasing life chances for poorer groups. This included good progress being made in supporting parents from disadvantaged backgrounds with help for home learning, and in eradicating illiteracy and innumeracy in primary school.
But the Commission also identified several areas in urgent need, including the Government’s refusal to implement its recommendation to extend the 30-hour funded childcare offer to parents working eight hours.
It highlights that only 57 per cent of children entitled to free school meals achieve a good level of development when starting school, compared with 74 per cent of all other children.
‘By the age of five, children in disadvantaged areas already face limited life prospects,’ the report states. ‘In some areas, childcare is well resourced. In others, poor pay and career prospects drive a drain of early years workforce talent to other sectors of the economy.’
It adds: ‘Stabilising the early years workforce is the essential foundation to improving children’s life chances. Some good things are happening but there is no consistent strategy.’
The Commission recommends pursuing an early years strategy to ‘ensure we help the helpers’. It says, ‘Child minders and other key workers must be on a decent wage and given the respect they need for such crucial work.’
A Government spokesperson said, 'We are pleased the Commission recognises progress in areas such as improving life chances for poorer groups, boosting mental health support for young people, and keeping disadvantaged pupils in education for longer.
'We remain committed to levelling up opportunity across the country, and continue to do all we can to make sure no-one is left behind as a result of coronavirus.
'From the start of the outbreak, all vulnerable children have been able to attend school and we have provided over £100 million to support children to learn at home.
'We also continue to invest significantly in schools and early years, alongside raising wages and increasing work incentives for the lowest paid families.'
- Download the report Monitoring social mobility - 2013-2020: Is the Government delivering on our recommendations? here