Sir Keir Starmer pledges to smash ‘class ceiling’ with education reforms

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Keir Starmer will pledge to smash the “class ceiling” if his party wins the next election, as he sets out plans to reform the education system in a major speech. This has no place in modern society Sir Keir Starmer In a speech in Gillingham on Thursday, the Labour leader is expected to warn the “class ceiling” is stifling opportunity for too many children across the country in terms of pay, promotions and work opportunities. If implemented boldly and funded well, it will repair much of the damage of the last 13 years Kevin Courtney, National Education Union Paul Whiteman, National Association of Headteachers general secretary, said: “A child’s background should never determine their opportunities in life, but inequalities have been exacerbated over the last decade by funding cuts to schools and other public services, the pandemic, and now the cost of living crisis. It is heartening that Labour will look at large-scale change.” David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “I’m delighted to see Labour’s bold ambition to get 80% of young people educated to A-level or technical equivalent as well as the recognition of the need for a cohesive post-16 education system, with colleges and universities both playing to their strengths.” Education secretary Gillian Keegan said recent U-turns taken on policy proposals by Sir Keir’s party meant there could be “no guarantee” that his education reforms would come to fruition.