A think-tank paper reviewed research about what affected development in the early years, and examined the existing policy framework in the light of that research. It then made recommendations designed to improve social mobility and other desired outcomes in the early years and thereafter, including: extending paid parental leave to 12 months; offering a more flexible package of support to families with children under the age of 2 or 3; providing high-quality centre-based care for children aged 2, starting with the most disadvantaged; and providing a more integrated system of high-quality care and education for children aged 3-5.
Source: Jane Waldfogel, Social Mobility, Life Chances and the Early Years, CASEpaper 88, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion/London School of Economics (020 7955 6679)
Links: Paper (pdf)
Date: 2004-Nov
A new book by a former policy adviser to Conservative governments examined the 'dangerously deepening divide' between social classes, and what could be done to reduce inequality.
Source: Ferdinand Mount, Mind the Gap: Class in Britain now, Short Books (020 7226 1607)
Links: Summary | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Sep
A paper used a theory of social class positions based on employment relations to assess what implications individuals class positions had for their economic life. In particular it considered economic security (the risk of unemployment), economic stability (the variability component in earnings) and economic prospects (lifetime earnings profiles). It found little evidence for claims of the decline, or even death, of social class.
Source: Abigail McKnight and John Goldthorpe, The Economic Basis of Social Class, CASEpaper 80, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion/London School of Economics (020 7955 6679)
Links: Paper (pdf)
Date: 2004-Mar
A discussion paper by a government think tank examined the facts about life chances in Britain, including incomes and employment, health, vulnerability to crime, and other aspects of quality of life, together with the implications for government policy.
Source: Stephen Aldridge, Life Chances and Social Mobility: An overview of the evidence, Strategy Unit/Cabinet Office (020 7276 1881)
Links: Report (pdf) | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Mar