Oldham's has got talent - but opportunity is still reserved for the rich - Alcock

10.28.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 21st Jul 2009

Former Labour minister Alan Milburn MP has today said that people from more affluent backgrounds still make up the majority of people in top professions such as law and medicine.

His comments raise questions about how effective our schools are when it comes to creating equal opportunities, and equal access to top jobs.

"Local young people are being failed by the government when it comes to education," says Mark Alcock, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Oldham West & Royton.

"Few people in Chadderton, Royton, Hollinwood, Coldhurst, Medlock Vale or Werneth are from wealthy families, so it is very worrying that the best opportunities are being closed off to them.

"Reform is needed to give everyone a more equal chance to make the best of themselves, beginning with early intervention and improved educational opportunities.

"Despite spending huge sums, this Labour Government have not yet bridged the rich-poor divide, and it is particularly damning that this should be revealed by a study chaired by a former Labour minister."

Currently 75% of judges and 45% of senior civil servants are privately educated, whereas just 4% of medical students came from the bottom two socio-economic groups.