The Government must take urgent action to help close the ‘privilege gap’, says the annual report by the Social Mobility Commission.

The commission’s State of the Nation 2018 to 2019 report has found that social mobility has been stagnant for the last four years.

In 2014, only 32% of those from working class backgrounds got professional jobs, rising marginally to 34% last year.

Those from working class backgrounds earn 24% less a year than those from professional backgrounds. Even if they get a professional job they earn 17% less than more privileged peers.

The commission also found that graduates who were on free school meals earn 11.5% less than others five years after graduating.

People from working class backgrounds are also more likely to be paid below the voluntary living wage than those from more advantaged backgrounds (27% versus 17%).

‘We know there is cross-party and widespread public support for the real (voluntary) living wage, but there are still cleaners, caterers and security staff, working in vital public sector jobs, who are struggling to get by. It’s time for our major public institutions to lead by example,’ commented Katherine Chapman, director of the Living Wage Foundation.

Only 16% of pupils on free school meals attain at least 2 A levels by age 19, compared to 39% of all other pupils, according to the commission’s findings.

Twice the number of disadvantaged 16 to 18 year olds are at further education colleges compared to sixth-forms, and this segregation within the education system has risen by 1.2% since 2013.

Student funding for 16 to 19 year olds has fallen 12% since 2011 to 2012, and is now 8% lower than for secondary schools. This leads to cuts to the curriculum and student support services that harm disadvantaged students.

‘Further education provides alternative life chances for all 16 plus age groups,’ said Alastair da Costa, commissioner and chair of Capital City Group.

‘Consistent budget cuts have made it more difficult to provide opportunities for everyone. But as 75% of disadvantaged 16 to 19 year olds choose vocational education, the cuts represent a class-based segregation of the school system.’