2012 Olympics kids are UK's most upwardly mobile

Children who grew up in East Ham during the 2012 Olympics are earning almost 50 per cent more than peers from the poorest parts of the UK today, a survey has found. The London constituencies of East Ham and Stratford hosted the Olympic Games in 2012, and the construction of the Olympic Village there was expected to bring large-scale regeneration to the marginalised areas. Now, East Ham's poorest children are among the UK's most socially mobile, followed by those from neighbouring Stratford and Bow, according the Sutton Trust's Opportunity Index. The annual survey tracks the education level and earnings of young people under 30 who were eligible for free school meals, to assess their opportunities. In East Ham, 35 per cent of pupils who were eligible for free school meals had a degree by the age of 22, compared to 10 per cent in Newcastle Upon Tyne and Central West – the constituency with the lowest rankings in the survey. Those aged 28 who grew up in East Ham earned almost 50 per cent more on average a year (£21,135), than those in the lowest ranking constituency (£14,158). Forty-eight per cent of children in East Ham completed their A-levels with an average C grade, above the national average of 46. Less than a fifth of East Ham pupils were not in school, higher education or work after their GCSEs, four points above the national average, and 25 per cent above the more affluent constituency of Kensington and Bayswater. 'Disadvantaged young people growing up in East Ham, and Stratford and Bow have the best opportunity to become socially mobile in England," Erica Holt-White, research and policy manager at the Sutton Trust, told The National. "Those eligible for free school meals achieve very well at GCSE, and we see young people progressing to university and reaching the top 20 per cent of earners at much higher rates than other young people from similar backgrounds in other areas of the country. "Local investment" in East Ham and Stratford and Bow, as well as the "demographic of the constituency", were among the factors contributing to the high rankings, she said. Yet the survey also showed that young people in London were more likely to move out of their constituency than those outside London, against the 'traditional view' of migration towards the capital. Within the orbit of the Olympic Village in Hackney, the proportion of working adults who are university graduates in Woodberry Down and Manor House leapt from just over one third (36.9 per cent) in 2011 to more than two thirds (67.8 per cent) – more than anywhere else in England and Wales. 'London and the East of England also have the highest rates for disadvantaged young people moving elsewhere by the age of 28, at 13 per cent compared to just 6 per cent of those from the North East," said Carl Cullinane, director of research and policy at the Sutton Trust. The survey revealed a "a startling picture of inequality of opportunity" across England, according to Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust. The training and educational pathways available to disadvantaged young people within their own constituencies determined how they would fare later on. "The life chances of disadvantaged young people remain strongly tied to where they grow up," he said. "If the government genuinely wants to break down barriers to opportunity, we need serious investment in education and economic opportunities in the 'left behind' parts of the UK. "Failing to act is damaging the life changes of too many of the next generation."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Zawya

an hour ago

• Zawya

UK growth drive could require reshaping the Treasury: Peacock

(The views expressed here are those of the author, the former head of communications at the Bank of England and a former senior editor at Reuters) LONDON - UK finance minister Rachel Reeves insists higher economic growth is her top priority, but the government's current plan to address the country's chronically low investment is unlikely to be ambitious enough. What may be needed is a structural rethink of the finance ministry itself. Reeves has adjusted her fiscal rules to allow for an extra 113 billion pounds of investment over five years, while remaining committed to ensuring debt falls as a proportion of national income within five years. In the UK government's latest spending plan unveiled last week, she started to allocate the extra capital to areas including defence, housing, transport infrastructure and a new nuclear power plant. Even so, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility, an independent fiscal watchdog, UK capital spending will climb to a peak of 3.9% of GDP in 2027/2028 but then fall back in the following two years, continuing a limp public investment record stretching back to the global financial crisis. Reeves is searching for other growth levers, including deregulation and increased UK investment by British pension funds. Additionally, the government is seeking to streamline planning laws and taking steps – albeit small ones – to rebuild trade relations with the European Union. But the government is fundamentally hamstrung by its fiscal rules. Departments are currently required to go cap in hand to the finance ministry to learn what they can spend and then undergo frequent check-ins to see if the fiscal position has deteriorated, which could lead to spending cuts or tax rises. This is not a system that will produce a viable long-term growth strategy. The International Monetary Fund – not known for being a fan of unfettered state spending – said last month that the UK should consider taking a more pragmatic approach to avoid having to change policy too often. The IMF suggested minor breaches should not require instant corrective action and that assessment of the rules should be done no more than once a year. But something more radical is likely required for Britain to break out of the low growth, low productivity loop it has been trapped in for almost two decades. Over this period, debt as a proportion of GDP has almost tripled while the national tax take has held steady, suggesting that part of the problem might be with the way the finance ministry operates. RESET REQUIRED The machinery of government needs recalibration to focus more systematically on productive investment that can ultimately help to drive debt down over time. Reeves is trying on this score. She has asked the OBR to assess the long-term impact of capital spending decisions to determine whether they could improve public finances. She is also changing the Treasury's "Green Book" rules that dictate approval of capital projects, shifting from a narrow cost-benefit analysis to an assessment of the impact on broader strategic goals such as lifting poorer regions of the UK. However, a fundamental issue remains. The Treasury still wields huge influence within the UK government, and when growth falls short, the impulse is typically to tighten the fiscal screws, thereby worsening growth prospects. The Institute for Government, a UK-based think tank, has argued that the economic heft of the prime minister's team needs strengthening as a counterbalance. EU nations – Germany, Spain and the Netherlands among others – have both a finance ministry and a separate, growth-focused economy ministry at the heart of government. Calls for a dramatic change in the Finance Ministry are growing. Maurice Glasman, who heads "Blue Labour", a campaign to reverse what it says is the Labour Party's abandonment of working-class communities, advocates abolishing the Treasury, scrapping fiscal rules and pursuing heavy infrastructure investment. While Glasman's prescription has little chance of being implemented in full, his ideas could gain influence within a government threatened by the rise of Nigel Farage's populist Reform UK party, which is targeting traditional Labour voters. Recent opinion polls have given Reform UK 27%-32% public support compared with 22%-24% for Labour. Ensuring public finances do not spiral out of control is, of course, critical for any government. And less oversight by the Treasury could result in wasted taxpayer money spent on unproductive investments that appeal to the political base. Moreover, the bond market has not reacted well to perceived UK fiscal imprudence in recent years, as demonstrated by the rapid demise of Liz Truss's premiership of 2022. But bond investors are apt to respond more positively to a long-term, investment-led approach to reducing public borrowing, even if it involves some upfront spending. It helps that the UK currently faces less political uncertainty than some of its peers and is in the middle of the pack in terms of developed market debt burdens. Reeves appears to understand that an investment-led structural reset is required to jump-start the UK growth engine. But to make that a reality, the first change may need to be rethinking the relationship between the Treasury and the prime minister's office. Enjoying this column? Check out Reuters Open Interest (ROI), opens new tab, your essential new source for global financial commentary. ROI delivers thought-provoking, data-driven analysis of everything from swap rates to soybeans. Markets are moving faster than ever. ROI, opens new tab can help you keep up. Follow ROI on LinkedIn, opens new tab and X. (Writing by Mike Peacock; Editing by Anna Szymanski and Paul Simao)

Khaleej Times

2 hours ago

• Khaleej Times

Accreditation, recognition and results: Why trust matters in online education

Over the past few years, CambriLearn has helped students gain admission to top universities, launch entrepreneurial ventures, and excel in competitive athletic or creative fields There's no shortage of options when it comes to online learning. A quick Google search will show hundreds of platforms promising flexible education, digital innovation, and affordability. But as online schools become more common - especially among expat families in the UAE, the question is no longer can you go online, but should you trust who you're enrolling with? Because not all online schools are created equal. And when it comes to your child's future, vague promises and pretty websites don't cut it. Why accreditation is non-negotiable In an era where anyone can build a website and call themselves a school, accreditation is one of the few objective standards that separate credible institutions from the rest. It's not just a formality - it's proof that the curriculum, teaching quality, assessments, and overall operations meet the strict requirements of internationally recognised education bodies. CambriLearn, for instance, is accredited with Pearson Edexcel, a gold standard in British education. This means students can earn International GCSEs and A Levels that universities recognise in over 160 countries. For families in the UAE, many of whom are planning their children's education across borders, that level of global portability matters. For families leaning toward the American education system, CambriLearn also offers a US curriculum path that ensures learners can stay on track, whether their goals include local universities or institutions abroad. Don't take the school's word for it - Take the parent's If accreditation is one half of the equation, real-world results are the other. And no one knows what it's like to enrol, learn, and grow within an online school better than parents and students themselves. This is where review platforms, not just testimonials hand-picked by the company, play a critical role. CambriLearn's high satisfaction ratings across Trustpilot, Google, and Facebook tell a consistent story: this is an online school that not only delivers on academic outcomes but also shows up with real human support. Parents praise the responsiveness of teachers, the clarity of the learning platform, and the way the school nurtures individual progress - not just exam results. A track record of outcomes, not just content Lots of online schools offer "content." However, content alone doesn't prepare a student for real-world success. CambriLearn stands out because it combines accredited content with personalised teacher support, progress tracking, and academic mentorship. In a system designed for flexibility, students can progress at their own pace and families can track real-time progress through a dedicated parent dashboard. Over the past few years, CambriLearn has helped students gain admission to top universities, launch entrepreneurial ventures, and excel in competitive athletic or creative fields - all while maintaining academic excellence. A safer choice in a crowded market With the global explosion of edtech, it's easy to get distracted by flashy features and low fees. But parents in the UAE are starting to ask sharper questions: These are the right questions. And increasingly, CambriLearn is the right answer. Because when you combine international accreditation, proven satisfaction, and a flexible curriculum tailored to individual potential - you're not just picking an online school. You're choosing a long-term partner in your child's success. Explore CambriLearn's internationally accredited British and US curriculum options today. Book a free consultation or visit

Khaleej Times

13 hours ago

• Khaleej Times

Alcaraz beats Lehecka in Queen's final to send Wimbledon statement

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz edged powerful Czech Jiri Lehecka 7-5 6-7(5) 6-2 to claim his second Queen's Club title and send out a powerful statement ahead of his Wimbledon defence on Sunday. Spaniard Alcaraz, who triumphed at Queen's a few weeks before claiming his first Wimbledon title in 2023, extended his winning streak to 18 matches but was pushed hard by Lehecka who underlined his own credentials as a rising force. Alcaraz, 22, pounced at 5-5 to break the Lehecka serve and duly bagged the opening set in 45 minutes. Lehecka, bidding to become the first Czech to win the Queen's title since Ivan Lendl in 1990, continued going toe-to-toe with the five-times Grand Slam champion and edged the second-set tie-break with some clinical tennis. Alcaraz had more in his locker though and forged 4-1 ahead in the decider as Lehecka's level finally began to drop on a breezy Andy Murray Arena in west London. He then broke the 23-year-old Lehecka's serve again to complete victory, letting out a roar of a delight as Lehecka struck a backhand into the net. While Alcaraz will be seeded number two at Wimbledon behind Jannik Sinner as he bids for a hat trick of titles there, he will arrive in red-hot form and as overwhelming favourite. He has won 27 of his 28 matches since April, his lone loss coming against Holger Rune in the Barcelona final, and Sunday's win was his fifth title this year. "This is really special this trophy and this tournament for me," Alcaraz said on court as he clutched the huge piece of silverware. "Jiri had an incredible week and his level is very high and it's a nightmare to play against you." Lehecka, whose ball-striking and physique are not dissimilar to Lendl's, beat home favourite Jack Draper in the semifinals on Saturday and began full of confidence against Alcaraz whom he beat at the start of the year in Doha. With serve dominating on the slick lawn, there was nothing between the players until Lehecka made a couple of errors at 5-5 and Alcaraz needed no second invitation to take the set. The second set followed a similar pattern but it was Lehecka who raised his game in the tiebreak to get a mini-break ahead. Alcaraz replied to win a sensational point at 3-4, sprinting to retrieve a drop shot and then back to chase down a lob. But Lehecka did not flinch and banged down an ace. Alcaraz double-faulted at 5-5 and then Lehecka levelled the final. Lehecka was unable to carry that momentum though and Alcaraz quickly re-established control and surged to victory. "The goal this week was just to compete and have a few matches on the grass and this final was a gift for me," Alcaraz said. "I just enjoyed the moment and the final, I felt like I was in control most of the time."