New Leader Clegg sets out agenda on social mobility

10.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 20th Dec 2007

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg

Extending social mobility through investment in education and tackling poverty will be at the heart of his agenda as Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg said today. On his first full day as party leader, Nick Clegg will start to deliver on the pledge made in his acceptance speech to reach out beyond Westminster by meeting sixth form pupils at a pioneering school in south-east London to learn about their aspirations and the challenges they face. Mr Clegg has announced the appointment of musician Brian Eno as his adviser with a brief to bring ideas from beyond Westminster on how to engage with and support people who are traditionally excluded from politics, particularly young people. Earlier today, Mr Clegg met the heads of 12 charities in the End Child Poverty coalition to discuss how to fulfil his commitment to end child poverty by 2020 and reverse Britain's appalling record on social mobility.

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said "I will fight for a society where everyone gets a fair chance in life, and no-one is condemned by the circumstances of their birth. Education has got to be front and centre of Britain's agenda if we're going to make that happen. So I will raise funding for the poorest children to the levels in private schools. Every family must be free from poverty, and feel they have a voice, and a stake, in Britain today. I am committed to the target of ending child poverty by 2020 - that must be a key aim of our policy development."