Educational Gap between Rich and Poor Students is increasing in UK
The difference in the success of education between rich and poor areas of Britain is increasing, despite the investment of millions of pounds each year, according to research published today.
The day before Mr Mandelson, the Secretary of Universities, outlines the Government’s strategy to increase social mobility through wider access to further and higher education, a report by the University and College Union (UCU) shows that the gap between rich and poor areas in the numbers completing a degree has increased more than four years.
In some constituencies, nearly two thirds of the working age population are graduates, while in others, fewer than one in ten has a degree or equivalent. Across Britain 29 percent now have a degree, but over 12 per cent have no qualifications, the report said.
Tomorrow Mr Mandelson, will give the Confederation of British Industry, a preview of his plans to promote social mobility through a new framework for higher education.
A government working group chaired by Alan Milburn, former Secretary of Health, identified the continuing low participation in higher education for poor families as one of the main obstacles to social mobility. There have been marginal increases in the number of students from lower socioeconomic groups in the past two years, but the report shows that the UCU that many areas have not participated in the trend.
In Sheffield, for example, 60 percent of people living in the constituency represented by Hallam Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat leader, are graduates – four times the figure for the Brightside constituency represented by about David Blunkett, former Secretary Interior.
In the 20 constituencies with the highest number of college, the proportion of the working age population with a degree level qualification increased from 48.8 percent in 2005 to 57.2 percent in 2008. However, the 20 electoral districts with the lowest level of participation in higher education saw a decline of 12.6 percent to 12.1 percent.
The constituency of Richmond Park, southwest of London, has the highest proportion of graduates in more than 63 percent of the working age population. In North Doncaster and Birmingham Hodge Hill, less than 10 percent have degrees.
The report also shows significant regional variations. Eight of the 20 constituencies with the lowest proportion of ratings are in the West Midlands region. London attracts the largest number of graduates, with 17 of the 25 groups that have the most graduates are in the capital.
Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, said: “The present government has rightly given priority to investment in education, but this report shows that the problem is even deeper than previously thought and is a challenge for all parties. Education is the key to improving social mobility, the fight against poverty and expand opportunities for all. ”
Ms. Hunt said the report showed the current gap between rich and poor was growing. When a person lives largely determined the possibilities of educational success
The report neither justifies the headline, nor the statement that “When a person lives largely determined the possibilities of educational success.” What it confirms is that as individuals gain academic success – and increased earnings – they move their homes upmarket. This is a trend well-established over the last century.
Bewteen 1997/9 and 2007/8, the number of new undergraduates coming from David Blunkett’s constituency (Sheffield Brightside) increased by 159%; the number from Nick Clegg’s constituency (Sheffield Hallam) increased by just 6%. However, many will not return to live in the poorest areas of the city.
This dramatic change is unlikely to be sustained with either a Conservative or LibDem government as both parties are committed to reducing the number of under-graduate places.