Opportunities for social mobility are in decline
These are the main findings of research conducted by Ipsos for The Sutton Trust.
Among members of the British public, there is considerable scepticism about the scope for social mobility and only a minority believe young people have bright prospects ahead of them.
These are the main findings of research conducted by Ipsos for The Sutton Trust. The survey shows that members of the general public are equally split on the chances for social mobility, being as likely to disagree (42%) as to agree (40%) that there are equal opportunities for people to get ahead. Only three in ten (29%) believe that today’s youth will have a better life than their parents’ generation; in contrast, almost half (46%) say they will have a worse life.
These findings are considerably more negative than those recorded in previous years. For example, the proportion who agree that there are equal opportunities for people to get ahead is considerably lower than in 2008 (40%, compared with 53%).
When asked what is most important for getting ahead in life, members of the public are most likely to say ‘ambition’ is either essential or very important (76%). This is followed by ‘having a good education yourself’ (72%). Although fewer members of the public cite people’s social background as vital, they are more likely to do so than before. Compared with survey results from 2009, a greater proportion now say that ‘knowing the right people’ is essential or very important for getting ahead (54%, compared with 33%). ‘Coming from a wealth family’ is also cited more frequently as essential or very important (26%, compared with 14% in 2009). This is further evidence that social mobility is thought to be declining and that wealth and social connections are becoming more important factors in peoples’ chances of getting ahead.
When presented with a list of things that might help people from disadvantaged backgrounds to get ahead, members of the public are most likely to say it is ‘high quality teaching in comprehensive schools’ that would do most for them (47%). This is followed by ‘lower tuition fees at university’ (23%). Only small proportions mention other things such as ‘access to grammar schools’ (eight per cent) and ‘access to private schools for those who can’t afford it’ (seven per cent).
Technical note
Ipsos conducted an online survey of 2,001 members of the public in Great Britain aged 16-64 between 6 and 8 June 2017. Data are weighted by sex, age and region to the known profile of the British population aged 16-64.
Comparison with the survey results from 2008 and 2009 must be made with caution because of differences in survey methodology and sample definition which means the results are not directly comparable. The data from 2008 is taken from a survey Ipsos conducted for The Sutton Trust; 2,060 adults aged 16+ across Great Britain were interviewed face-to-face between 15 and 20 May 2008. The data from 2009 is taken from the wave of the British Social Attitudes Survey conducted that year, with face-to-face interviews conducted with 958 members of the public aged 18+ across Great Britain.
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