HOW TO BREAK INTO THE ELITE

BBC Two, 9.00pm

Even a cursory examination of the top ranks of the government, judiciary, banking sector and media confirms what a class-ridden society Britain remains.

The Oxbridge elite and the seven percent of the population that is privately educated nab an inordinate amount of the top jobs.

BBC Media Editor Amol Rajan, a rare example of a working-class boy made good (like his early mentor, presenter Matthew Wright) busts any myth that we are a meritocracy in this engrossing documentary in which he follows recent graduates from low income families as they enter the workforce.

They fare far less well than he did, and in fact it’s heart-rending to watch two British men of colour with sterling degrees from Russell Group universities struggle to land jobs.

The employment recruiters and experts put it down to a lack of the soft skills and confidence that middleand upper-class kids pick up at home or private school. Interestingly, Rajan doesn’t address the men’s race, which could also be a factor, sadly. The film’s conclusion, that education is not the great equaliser we’re told it is, comes as no surprise. It’s pretty depressing to see it play out on screen.

Vicki Power

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