🚨 NEW: 83% of the public say the gap between social classes is either quite big or very big, we have found. Our new polling reveals that the British public perceives society to be unequal and unfair. It also finds huge support for investment to improve social mobility 🧵⤵️

The survey of over 2,000 adults shows over 90% of people believe that all young people should have equal opportunities. The public also overwhelmingly thinks it’s the role of government to ensure fair access to educational opportunities (81%) and job opportunities (69%).

The majority of people say that children from richer families get better opportunities throughout their education and careers 👎 Additionally, 44% of people feel the gap between social classes is bigger now than 50 years ago.

The public believe the main barriers succeeding in life include: a lack of access to opportunities where you live (30%), lack of access to a good education (29%), a poor work ethic (29%), the state of the economy (28%), and a lack of self-belief (26%).

There are high levels of public support for policies that would improve opportunities for young people and increase social mobility. Over half want to see maintenance grants reinstated for students from less wealthy backgrounds 🎓

Likewise, 52% think access to pre-school or nursery should be free, in the same way that school is. 31% believe this provision should be paid for but affordable, so that the majority of children can attend.

3 in 4 uni graduates say people like them have a good chance of succeeding in life, but only half as many without GCSEs say the same. Those in Scotland are most optimistic (73%) about the chances of succeeding in life, while those in the West Midlands (49%) are least optimistic.

Alongside the polling, we’re publishing our new roadmap for the next government. It includes costed policy recommendations to leaders on how to reduce educational inequality and increase social mobility 👇#GeneralElection suttontrust.com/our-research/s…