A mixed party report has shown that top professions are inaccessible to those from poorer backgrounds.

The report into social mobility has said that professions such as law and medicine are only open to those from wealthier backgrounds. These professions have a “closed shop” sentiment that makes it difficult for those from less well of origins to break into. It is believed that wealth, private education and access to top universities open the doors to these top jobs. But poorer children do not have these opportunities throughout their education and are then restricted in their careers.

Currently 75 percent of judges are privately educated; whilst 70 percent of financial directors and 45 percent of top civil servants come from this back ground. The report predicts that future lawyers and doctors will typically come from the top sixth of affluent families from the UK. It also shows that only 29 percent of students come from working class backgrounds even though making up 50 percent of the youth population.

The Rt. Hon. Alan Milburn MP who chaired the report said: "There is a chasm between where we are and where we need to be if Britain is to realise the social and economic benefits of huge potential growth in professional employment. We need a new recognition: that a closed shop mentality in our country means that too many people from middle income as well as low income families encounter doors that are shut to their talents. And we need a new focus: unleashing aspiration, not just beating poverty."