How do we make Britain fairer?

We have lifted half a million children out of poverty, raising education standards across the country. Now the challenge is to tackle all of the barriers that hold young people back, so that talent, not background or birth, determines who gets on.

We have proved that inequality is not inevitable and that governments can make real changes in the economy and society. But Britain is still too unequal, and not fair enough.

Change takes time: the first children to benefit from Sure Start will only reach 18 in 2017. Globalisation can polarise incomes and widen inequalities. There are cultural issues that have held back advances, rooted in changes to family and community life.

We have reduced poverty, though it has been hard to restrain inequality. For some families, disadvantage is so entrenched that only intensive intervention can rescue children.

We need to create more opportunities for people to work, but we must be even tougher in demanding responsibility.

We have lifted half a million children out of poverty, raising education standards across the country. Now the challenge is to tackle all of the barriers that hold young people...

Social mobility slowed down after the early 1970s in Britain. Too many were held back by the accident of birth. Recent studies have shown how far a person’s background makes...

In 2007-8, 27 per cent of UK families had no savings and another 20 per cent had savings of less than £1500. A society is unlikely to achieve greater equality...

Schools will be the engine of social mobility. Education is now more than ever our number one priority for Britain’s future. Our ambition is world-class schools offering excellent teaching and...

Despite a steady rise in those from low-income backgrounds, young people can still face barriers in reaching university. Of those from disadvantaged households who come in the top 20 per...