29.08.14
Local government less elitist than other parts of society – SMPCP
Local government appears to be less ‘elitist’ when compared other parts of society, according to a new report from the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission (SMPCP).
The headline figures in the article highlight that the UK is run by an ‘over-representation’ of those educated at independent schools and Oxbridge. For instance, it reveals that 71% of senior judges, 53% of diplomats, 50% of members of the House of Lords, 45% of public body chairs and 44% of the Sunday Times Rich List attended independent schools.
Within these figures, 59% of the Cabinet and 33% of the Shadow Cabinet attended Oxbridge. But in the UK, only 7% of the whole population attend private schools and less than 1% of the population graduate from Oxbridge.
SMPCP’s study highlights, however, that local government appears to be more representative of the population. Its figures reveal that only 15% of council leaders and 8% of CEOs are from independent schools. And, in terms of Oxbridge, only 8% of council leaders and 9% of CEOs were educated there.
In fact, the highest proportion of local government leaders were educated at comprehensive schools and the top percentage of local government CEOs came from grammar schools, the report reveals.
The Rt Hon Alan Milburn, chair of the SMPCP, said: “We in the Commission hope this report prompts a re-think in the institutions that have such a critical role to play in making Britain a country where success relies on aptitude and ability more than background or birth.
“To confront the challenges and seize the opportunities that Britain faces a broader range of experiences and talents need to be harnessed.”
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