Children's life chances still tied to the circumstances of their birth - Clegg

3.20.00pm GMT Mon 12th Jan 2009

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg

The Independent Social Mobility Commission, set up by Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg and chaired by Barnardo's Chief Executive Martin Narey, has found that a child's life chances are 'dependent on the background and earnings of its parents'. The commission's report also found that increased education funding has failed to reach those children most in need.

Commenting, Nick Clegg said "This expert analysis shatters the idea that Britain in 2009 is a free and fair society. Martin Narey and his colleagues deserve enormous credit for a report that cannot be ignored by anyone who wants a fairer Britain.

"It is an outrage and a tragedy that two children born at the same time in the same hospital should have wildly different life chances based simply on the income of their parents.

"We agree with the overwhelming majority of the reports' recommendations, especially targeting resources in schools to those children who need most help, boosting vocational education for teenagers, and radically altering the tax credit system so it is focused on helping those families most in need.

"Whilst we do not agree with some other recommendations, such as the abolition of the 10p rescue package or the use of admissions ballots in schools, the report will considerably strengthen the commitment by Liberal Democrats to providing equality of opportunity to every child to succeed in Britain.

"This damning report shows that a child's prospects are still tied to the circumstances of their birth. That is why we will make improving the prospects for all our children a key part of our election manifesto.

"I am immensely grateful to Martin Narey and every member of the Commission for producing such a powerful and well researched report on how Britain can be made a fairer and more socially just country for future generations."