Moving on up

THIRTY years ago, politicians could point to particular areas on a map of Britain and make a good guess as to the life chances of its inhabitants. Today, that would be impossible. Enormous social, economic and welfare changes, regenerating some former industrial cities and neglecting others, have created a much more complex picture.

Progress has been made, but it has been expensive and hit-and-miss. The idealism of Labour's early years, when policies like the minimum wage were aimed at helping the poorest in society, faded away.

Now the coalition Government is trying to succeed where its predecessor failed. Nick Clegg is right to say that social mobility is more likely to be boosted by "improving people's lives" rather than by giving them handouts.

The aspirations of poor children must be raised early in life, universities must continue to seek out students who have potential but may lack stellar grades, while the Government must create more incentives for parents to get off benefits and into work.

It is an extensive shopping list of policies but if Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary and a convert to social justice, could help steer them through then it would present a genuine legacy for him and his colleagues. It would mean they have lived up to their own aspiration, to be a radical and reforming Government.