A powerful new report from the influential Sutton Trust think tank has delivered a scathing indictment of the government's record on social mobility, accusing ministers of presiding over a decade of stagnation in widening access to Britain's most elite universities.
The research reveals that despite repeated pledges and targets, the proportion of students from state schools attending Oxford and Cambridge universities has barely shifted. This lack of progress, the Trust argues, exposes a chasm between ministerial rhetoric and tangible action.
Public Faith in Fair Access Plummeting
Compounding the damning statistics, an exclusive YouGov poll commissioned for the report reveals a profound crisis of public confidence. A mere 16% of the British public believes the current government is effective at improving social mobility.
Perhaps more strikingly, the poll found that a significant majority of the public now believes that where you end up in life is largely determined by your parents' wealth and background, not your own talent or effort.
A Call for Concrete Action, Not Just Words
The Sutton Trust is urging the next government to move beyond vague promises and implement a robust, cross-departmental strategy specifically targeted at closing the opportunity gap. The report criticises the current approach as fragmented and insufficiently ambitious.
Sir Peter Lampl, founder and executive chairman of the Sutton Trust, stated: "The needle has barely moved in a decade. We need a proper plan from the government... It is imperative that the next government makes this a priority."
The Lords Question: A Privilege Problem
The report also turns its gaze to the corridors of power itself, highlighting a stark representation issue within the House of Lords. Its analysis shows that a disproportionate number of peers were educated at Oxbridge, suggesting that the highest levels of policy-making lack the diverse perspectives needed to effectively address the problem.
This report serves as a stark reminder that for all the political talk of 'levelling up' and creating a 'meritocracy', the engine of social mobility in Britain remains stubbornly stalled. The challenge for any future administration will be to finally match ambitious words with deliverable policies.
