'More To Be Done To Stop Elitism At Work'
The Business Minister has admitted on Sky News that the Government needs to do more to stop elitism in the workplace.
In response to a report by a cross-party panel chaired by former Cabinet minister Alan Milburn, Pat McFadden conceded that many children are still being deprived access to top jobs.
"We've got to do more and I agree with much of the thrust of the report because we are about making sure that it's about the quality of your character that matters rather than your background," he said.
But speaking on Jeff Randall Live, Mr McFadden also hit back at critics in opposition parties.
He explained: "I think it's a silly political game that we play if every time we acknowledge that we might have more to do or we might have to change something everyone shouts failure.
Milburn Wants More Opportunities For Young People
"I honestly think we need a more adult conversation about things than that."
The report says those who come from middle and working class families are still at a disadvantage when they enter the jobs market, and that access to professions like law and medicine is becoming increasingly socially exclusive.
The panel strongly criticises the quality of careers advice given in schools - especially to the youngest students - which Mr Milburn has already described as "shameful".
It calls for urgent action to break the "closed shop mentality" which, it says, still characterises Britain's professions.
The panel found more than half of top professional jobs are still taken by candidates who were independently schooled, even though they account for just 7% of all school children.
'Social mobility must be a top priority'
It says failure to break the pattern will mean the opportunity of achieving the most significant wave of social mobility since World War Two will be lost.
The panel was originally set up by Gordon Brown to examine barriers to entering top professions.
In more than 80 recommendations, it argues enhancing social mobility must be the top social priority for any government - both now and in the future.
Among the advantages for children attending private schools, or the best state schools, are the chance to develop through extra-curricular activities and mentoring schemes.
These help to mark out candidates when it comes to applying for jobs in the professions.
Source : news.sky.com Wednesday 22nd July 2009
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