'Large majority' believe social mobility needs to improve

There has strong public support across the political spectrum for the idea that all young people should have equal opportunities, regardless of background according to the Sutton Trust.

They said 9 in 10 agree this is important and the same proportion say it is important to level the playing field and improve social mobility in the UK.

The survey, conducted by More in Common for the Sutton Trust, reveals that a large majority believe it is the government’s role to ensure fair access to educational (81 per cent) and job opportunities (69 per cent).

When asked why the Government should focus on this, the most commonly chosen reason was to make the most of everyone’s talents to help the economy grow.

Sir Peter Lampl, founder of the Sutton Trust and the Education Endowment Foundation, said: “For too long, successive governments have failed to increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income young people.

He described a "yawning gap between the well-off and their less affluent peers", and said this was the main cause of the UK's declining social mobility. 

"The public clearly wants this to change and the next government needs to get on board and make it happen. Otherwise, the gap between the haves and the have-nots will continue to widen, wasting the talent of so many young people and threatening the country’s future prosperity," he added.

The polling shows high levels of public support for policies that the Sutton Trust said would improve opportunities for young people and increase social mobility.

Almost nine in 10 agree that the government should provide financial support for students while at university and over half want to see maintenance grants brought back for students from low-income households.

Currently, student maintenance loans do not cover essential living costs for the majority of students, and those from poorer backgrounds graduate with the biggest debts. 

Likewise, just over half think access to pre-school or nursery should be free.

A further third believe this provision should be paid for but affordable, so that the majority of children can attend. 

In a new report published alongside the polling, the Sutton Trust has called for the next government to prioritise policies that will improve opportunities for young people and boost social mobility.