Research

The politics of aspiration

Social mobility has stalled in Britain. The ladder from poverty to wealth is getting longer and fewer people are climbing it. People's chances in life are too often determined, not by their talent or hard work, but by their social background. How can government ensure that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their aspirations? And how can we ensure that all benefit from a good education - the engine that powers social mobility?

Recent publications:

A liberal education policy (December 2007)

This paper draws together four CentreForum reports on education, laying out a coherent, radical, and liberal vision of education policy at pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary education.

Working on welfare (September 2007)

Despite very heavy investment by the Labour government, poverty is stubbornly high. This paper argues that encouraging work is the best long-term solution to poverty, and explores the combinations of work incentives and sanctions which will best stimulate employment and reduce poverty.

Tackling educational inequality (July 2007)

Despite increases in levels of overall attainment over the past ten years, many children are still being left behind . Recent figures estimate that nearly one million pupils do not receive an adequate standard of schooling; there are some 500 schools which are seriously underperforming. The large injections of public expenditure into the school system and slew of school reforms under the Labour government do not appear to have reached those who are most in need of improved services. This paper reviews current school standards, analyses the factors behind school failure, and explores potential reforms.

The surest route: early years education and life chances (April 2007)

There is strong evidence that good quality early years education is vital to reducing inequality of opportunity. State subsidies are far better used at the beginning of a child’s educational journey than at they are on ‘second chance’ or remedial interventions towards the end. The government has clearly accepted the logic of this argument by investing heavily in early years education and care, and by introducing private payment into the university system.  But is the money going into pre-school provision being well spent?  This report explores the issues.

Keeping up with the pack: can government reduce health inequality (July 2006)

Despite a century of improving health, the gains have not been shared equally throughout society. Those with the least wealth also have the worst health. This report examines how this issue can be tackled, in the UK and elsewhere and sets out the lessons learns in this fast evolving area of public policy.

Climbing the ladder – how can Britain become more socially mobile? (June 2006)

Social mobility in Britain has remained static over the last ten years despite relative economic prosperity, declining poverty and expansive social programmes. This paper argues that the main drivers of social mobility are education and human capital and government policy should focus on these factors rather than the unreliable mechanism of income redistribution.

Open Universities: a funding strategy for higher education (April 2006)

This paper tests tax funded and fee based higher education systems against the principles of sustainability and fairness. It finds the introduction of variable fees represents that start rather than the end of the process of reform.

Aiming Higher: a better future for England’s schools (March 2006)

Education systems that offer real choice to parents can deliver more good school places. But they must be rooted in admission policies that allow parents to choose schools rather than schools to choose parents while the schools themselves must be given much greater teaching autonomy.