MEMBERS OF SOCIAL MOBILITY COMMISSION QUIT

ALL FOUR MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL MOBILITY COMMISSION HAVE STOOD DOWN IN PROTEST AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.

 

They have quit over a lack of progress towards a "fairer Britain".

 

Ex-Labour minister Alan Milburn has written a letter to the Prime Minister.

 

It read as follows:

 

"It is with regret that I am writing to stand down as chair of the Social Mobility Commission with immediate effect.

 

"I do so with much sadness. I was appointed chair by the coalition government in 2012 and my term of office has come to an end. I understand the current government will launch an open process for a new chair in 2018. I will not be applying.

 

"I am deeply proud of the work the commission has done to champion the case for greater fairness in Britain. Our research and advocacy work has helped put social mobility at the heart of the national debate about the future of our country. All the main political parties now espouse a Britain that is less elitist and more equal, while growing numbers of employers, universities, colleges, schools and councils have developed a shared determination to create a level playing field of opportunity in our country.

 

"I would like to pay tribute to my vice-chair Gillian Shephard for her outstanding work over the last few years: similarly, my fellow commissioners Paul Gregg and David Johnston. They have all been a joy to work with. From the outset, all have discharged their role as commissioners in a non-partisan way. I would also like to thank the secretariat team that have supported us throughout. The cross-party and independent nature of the commission has been one of its great strengths.

 

"For almost a decade, I have been proud to serve under Labour, coalition and Conservative governments in various social mobility roles. I remain deeply committed to the issue, but I have little hope of the current government making the progress I believe is necessary to bring about a fairer Britain. It seems unable to commit to the future of the commission as an independent body or to give due priority to the social mobility challenge facing our nation.

 

Tory former cabinet minister Baroness Shephard is among three others to quit along with Paul Gregg and David Johnston,

Published: 03/12/2017 by Radio NewsHub