Discussion
The second part of your exam assignment asks you to discuss how to overcome the obstacles to upward social mobility in Britain.
The main obstacles to social mobility in Britain mentioned in the exam material are the unfair educational system, the unaffordable housing prices, inequality on the labour market, and regional inequality. Possible solutions to these obstacles are mentioned in the first four texts.
The educational system
The unfair educational system could be improved through government and regional action. For example, Text 3 mentions that the government report recommends: “a new social mobility league table to encourage universities to widen access and the number of 16-18 year old NEETS (not in education, employment or training) to be cut to zero by 2022.” (ll. 46-48)
Text 4 mentions that those regions in Britain that have higher social mobility rates also have good nursery schools and a relatively high number of young people who are either employed or in training.
By following the examples of these regions in the rest of the UK some of the obstacles raised by the educational system could be overcome
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The labour market
The inequality of the labour market could also be improved through governmental reforms and investments. Text 3 suggests that all internships become paid and a funding scheme for retraining: “…a legal ban on unpaid internships; scrapping low quality apprenticeships; a ‘Second Chance Career Fund’ to help older workers retrain…” (ll. 44-46)
The same ban on unpaid internships is suggested as a solution for young students in Text 2: “Others will take up unpaid internships, if they can afford to. The report highlights the corrosive impact of these, and calls for them to be banned.” (ll. 28-29)
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The housing industry
When it comes to the unaffordable housing industry, a way to overcome this obstacle might be building more affordable houses. This recommendation is presented at length in Text 3:
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Regional inequality
Regional inequality in terms of economy, education, and access to labour could be improved by distributing government resources towards regions that have the lowest social mobility rates, and by encouraging economic investments in regions lagging behind—investments that would create jobs and improve the standard of living.
Additionally, Text 3 mentions the importance of community spirit which draws people to move to less developed regions. Focusing on this aspect could be a way to promote these regions to professionals and entrepreneurs who could move there and help the regions develop economically.
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