CLASS ACTION

Readers weighed in on a Social Mobility Commission report that found people from lower socio-economic backgrounds are still underrepresented in the civil service, and can struggle to get on if they have not picked up the unwritten codes of practice and ‘studied neutrality’ that benefit those from more privileged upbringings.

“This resonates,” Mohammed Aziz said.

“This is true in my experience, if you’re not in the ‘club’ there’s no chance of progression regardless of background. The studied neutrality approach results in poor performance, lack of results and no accountability from management,” agreed Mike Besant.

John Hatton shared a different perspective. “I can’t say I observed much, if any, of what is being claimed here during my time in the civil service. If anything, I’d say the selection processes were about as robust, fair and open as I’ve seen anywhere. There was also a real effort to bring greater diversity both to the interview panels and the candidate shortlists. In terms of promotion and selection it did feel more like a meritocracy than an old boys’ club.

“Easy for me to say from a position much nearer the top than the bottom... and as a white, middle-aged bloke – but I’m saying it as someone emanating from a working class background and a state education. And with a Brummie accent. No gripes here.”

But Rocio Ferro-Adams replied: “This may be true, but privilege comes in many forms. If you’re trusted with information, if you are invited to meetings – there are many people who are not and do not experience the privilege of being included and being

‘one of us’. This can create an unhappy workforce... Privilege is relative and not tied to class but to socio-economic status.”

Sunny Thompson wrote: “What I would not like to see is for this to become about equipping people from lower socio-economic backgrounds to mimic the methods by which their more privileged colleagues rise to the top through ‘studied neutrality’. Instead, let us welcome those who are less understated, who dare to show human emotion, and who have all kinds of accents. Perhaps I would say that, as a flamboyant and emotional person... But some of my favourite leaders have also been flamboyant, emotional, regional et cetera.”

Claire Lever added: “That’s exactly what they do. I was welcomed into HMT because of my diversity: regional background/ perspective and protected characteristic. Yet was constantly trying to be moulded to fit them. I had to say on more than one occasion: ‘just because someone has a northern accent doesn’t mean they are stupid,’ and even worse had to replace stupid with ‘poor’ on one occasion.”

And Eamonn M. shared his experience: “For years I was both praised for performing above what was required yet, at the same time, told that if I wanted to get on I needed to work on “smoothing off some of my rough edges” – this exact phrase from different senior leaders. I now view this as being code for not having the right background, supposedly not cut from the right cloth, not from the right university. I later gained a degree but never did enough to quite fit in… I hope this report is a catalyst for real change and the 18-year-old version of me joining today as an AA can fulfil their full potential, not just for their sake but for the sake of the civil service overall.

He added: “Moving jobs and opportunities outside London will help bring more [people from a lower socio-economic background] in, but a radical change in culture is required to enable a true meritocracy to take hold and allow everyone to progress fairly.” point to perceived successes of your ever distant past…”

But not everyone thought the project was a bad idea. “I like the clear statement that it will be built in the UK and giving it a dual role (perhaps) might further increase the value for money equation: eg Britannia has a secondary role as a hospital ship and was actually used in this function in the Falklands,” Simon Hall wrote. “My inclination is to slow down on the cries of ‘vanity project’ and let’s hear the details first. It might even be a good idea!”