Alpha Edward Lloyd Tim Nice But Dim or poor and clever?

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Children from high income backgrounds who show signs of low academic ability at the age of five are 35 per cent more likely to be high earners as adults than their smart peers from low income households. The research by Abigail McKnight of the London School of Economics has exposed what is called a "glass floor" in British society which protects those better-off but less able children from falling down the social ladder as they become adults. The "Tim-nice-but-dim" character made famous by comedian Harry Enfield is no longer fiction as former Labour health minister Alan Milburn, current chair of the government's Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, called the findings a "social scandal". Not only do parents going to private school increase the earnings of their 'nice-but-dim' children, but the influence can go back as far as a child's grandfather's social standing. The research found middle-class parents are successful in effectively creating a "glass floor" which protects their children from downward mobility, but also makes it harder for able children from less advantaged backgrounds to succeed.

It's a social scandal that all too often demography is still destiny in Britain Alan Milburn

Mr Milburn said: "No one should criticise parents for doing their best for their children. That's what we all want. "But Britain is a long way from being a meritocratic society when the less able can do better in life than the more able. "It has long been recognised that there is a glass ceiling in British society that prevents children with potential progressing to the top. This research reveals there is a glass floor that inhibits social mobility as much as the glass ceiling. "It's a social scandal that all too often demography is still destiny in Britain." He said the government should make "levelling the playing field" its core mission so every child in the country has an equal opportunity to go as far as their abilities can take them. He added: "A one-nation approach means giving disadvantaged kids access to the support, advice and development opportunities that better-off middle class families take for granted. "Employers also need to step up to the plate by ensuring that internships aren't simply reserved for those with the right social contacts and that recruitment processes aren't skewed to favour polish over potential."

PA Harry Enfield's Tim Nice But Dim character is not just fiction, according to the study

Well-off parents are helping their children by investing time and money in education, providing better careers advice and guidance than poorer parents can and placing a high-value on 'soft skills' such as self-confidence, decisiveness, leadership and resilience - which are highly valued during job interviews. Richer parents also have an advantage as they can invest in private tuition to help children pass exams, give them a private education or move house to be in the catchment area of an outstanding state school. Being able to use their contacts to gain internships for their children was noted as a benefit well-off parents have over poorer parents. Senior research fellow Dr McKnight, said schools could do "much more" to help children from less advantaged families build on high early potential.