Despite a recent Social Mobility Commission report and an IFS review under way, the inequality problem isn’t really being tackled

It’s been almost three years since the Prime Minister stood on the doorstep of No 10 and vowed to ‘fight against the burning injustice’ facing society. And it’s been almost a year and a half since the then chair of the Social Mobility Commission, Alan Milburn, and his team quit over what they considered a lack of progress from the Government.

Since then, the Government has appointed new Social Mobility Commissioners along with a new chair, Dame Martina Milburn, and last month the newly formed commission published its ‘state of the nation’ report.

The report hammered home some of the worrying early years trends that have been emerging in recent years: the inequality gap at age five (which EPI estimates to be equivalent to just over four months); the closure of hundreds of Children’s Centres; and the low pay and status of the early years workforce. The commission’s workforce findings chimed with EPI’s most recent report on the early years workforce, which found that some childcare workers are paid less than those in the retail sector, even when they are qualified to a similar level.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here



Nursery World Jobs

Nursery Practitioner

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Executive Director

Remote - will be required to attend Leicester HQ weekly

Level 3 Nursery Practitioner

Thames Ditton, Surrey