How representative are our MPs now?

The average MP is still a man, aged 51 (as has been the case since 1992), and, somewhat predictably, is most likely to have previously worked in politics. A third of MPs went to fee-paying private schools (compared with the national average of about 7%).

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Those from the richest fifth of neighbourhoods are still nine times more likely to go to the top universities than those from the poorest fifth, according to the Sutton Trust, a charity established to improve social mobility.

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However, Dr Lee Elliot Major, chief executive of the Sutton Trust, said more had to be done. “If parliament is truly to represent the whole nation, the best people should be able to become MPs,” he said.

Read the full article here.