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Last updated: 24 June 2009
3 March 2005
CAB 011/05
Social mobility is the ultimate test for the Government and the North-East has never been in a better position to meet it, according to Cabinet Office Minister, David Miliband.
Speaking at the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) ‘Opportunity Seminar’ in Newcastle today, Mr Miliband said there is a special need and value in the North-East in placing the advance of social mobility at the heart of its vision for the future of the region.
‘Social mobility for me is something quite simple: it is the chance for children to do better than their parents. Do better in terms of lifestyle, life chances and life comforts; do better in terms of income, wealth and happiness,’ he said.
‘There are four key drivers of social mobility: first, early childhood development; second, education; third, the labour market; and fourth, asset ownership and community networks.
‘On childhood development the Government has established 61 Sure Start programmes, 108 children’s centres, and 166 neighbourhood nurseries across the region. In south Tyneside alone, that has translated into over 5,000 childcare places.
‘In education the region has experienced the greatest increase of 19-year-olds with school-leaving (level 2) qualifications than any other part of the country. On assets, those in the North-East will, like other parts of the country benefit from measures such as the Baby Bond. We are also working hard to place the issue of ownership for the disadvantaged at the heart of the policy debate.’
Mr Miliband also set out how the pride of those who live and work in the North-East can be translated into confidence.
‘That for me is the significance of the Aspire programme, launched by the business community and the Prime Minister. It has a simple rationale: unless we raise the belief of the younger generation we won’t maintain the business base we have here.
‘That is not just a job for government, but one for us all. Believe in ourselves, and we will build the mobile society that is the key to the future.’
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