Saturday was an excellent, thought provoking day at the LSE.Its focus was social mobility and raising equal opportunities for all. Nick Clegg started the conference with a very good speech (first time hearing him live!)that outlined key policies and analysis of Government and Tory weaknesses. This was then followed by break out workshops on the importance of education policy for reducing poverty, inequality and increasing opportunity. It was like going back to University with a lecture and seminar to discuss. The economists from the Centreforum think tank were superb at raising thought provoking issues and the realities of this recession on future spending priorities for any Government.
Next, came another workshop on "Who are the Poor in Britain?" This was presented by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and looked at who are the income and consumption poor. And which regions have the greatest problems. As well as the links then to policy across a range of areas.
Interesting, was the analysis of Government early success and then failure in this area and how different groups have seen their position improve and decline.
The big surprise was how non-parent adults have gone from 1 in 20 being poor to 1 in 10 since Labour came to power.
Finally, was the presentation by the Commission on Social Mobility. It had been totally independent of the Party. This presentation was headed by the Head of Barnardoes and included Vince Cable MP and Lynne Featherstone MP. It posed some excellent questions for Lib Dems to consider as well as challenges and showed how many of our policies would aid social mobility and improve opportunities for all.
Next, came another workshop on "Who are the Poor in Britain?" This was presented by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and looked at who are the income and consumption poor. And which regions have the greatest problems. As well as the links then to policy across a range of areas.
Interesting, was the analysis of Government early success and then failure in this area and how different groups have seen their position improve and decline.
The big surprise was how non-parent adults have gone from 1 in 20 being poor to 1 in 10 since Labour came to power.
Finally, was the presentation by the Commission on Social Mobility. It had been totally independent of the Party. This presentation was headed by the Head of Barnardoes and included Vince Cable MP and Lynne Featherstone MP. It posed some excellent questions for Lib Dems to consider as well as challenges and showed how many of our policies would aid social mobility and improve opportunities for all.
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