Accountants back Milburn social mobility report

In his first report as the Government's independent reviewer on social mobility, the former Labour Cabinet Minister said little has changed to wider access to the professions, which remain a "closed shop" to applicants from poorer backgrounds.

He said there is "only, at best, limited progress being made in prising open the professions ... the next generation of our country's lawyers, doctors and journalists are likely to be a mirror image of previous generations".

However, Mr Milburn said the accountancy profession has "consciously constructed ladders of opportunity that allow non-graduates to enter and progress in a professional career".

Andrew Leck, head of ACCA UK, said while Mr Milburn's commendation is "good news, my sense is that we cannot rest on our laurels".

"Together with the medical, legal and journalism professions, we need to work collectively to share best practice to ensure change," he said.

"For ACCA, the key is to ensure that those from disadvantaged backgrounds are as able to access the professions as those from more privileged backgrounds.

"ACCA is firmly committed to ensuring fair access to accountancy and we welcome the Coalition Government’s focus on social mobility. We look forward to working with them and other professions through Professions for Good to move forward the social mobility agenda."

ACCA supports the Business Compact on Social Mobility, launched in spring 2011.

Mr Milburn said: "If social mobility is to become anything other than a pipedream they will have to open up."