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A question from James Jackson < Go back to ask a question

When you talk about the polarisation of jobs, with a widening gap between highly skilled highly paid workforce, and at the other extreme, an unskilled workforce with poor prospects, added to your prediction that University fees will treble, do you envisage this having an effect on the ‘class’ structure of Britain?

Our experts answered...

It will be even harder to escape the accident of birth - people born into poor families will find it harder to get on in life. Many of the better jobs are already being closed off by making them open only to graduates. Britain will become less socially mobile. That is why addressing inequality of opportunity must remain a high priority for policy makers despite the tough economic times ahead.

- Dr Barrie Hopson

Other questions

In terms of the emerging trend of employees paying for their own education, will this disadvantage new, highly skilled entrants to the market – e.g. undergraduates – who may not have the means to pay for this?

Lucy SmithSee the answer
When you talk about the polarisation of jobs, with a widening gap between highly skilled highly paid workforce, and at the other extreme, an unskilled workforce with poor prospects, added to your prediction that University fees will treble, do you envisage this having an effect on the ‘class’ structure of Britain?

James JacksonSee the answer
At the moment I'd say I'm closer to being a current 'elite' worker, however in the past I have had thoughts about a change of career. With all the training etc required, will a restart to my career place me at risk of falling into the 'excluded' category?

Rob WilkinsSee the answer