The former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn has published a report today on social mobility and access to the professions.

Speaking to the Today programme's Evan Davis, he said the economic downturn has increased social concerns about unfairness.

There is a "political push" and a "big potential" for another social mobility dividend. However, there do remain barriers, he warns, such as work experience opportunities, internships and recruitment policies.

The senior ranks of professions remain "a closed shop", he told the programme, "and if social mobility is to become anything more than a pipe dream they really need to open up".

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