Corbyn / BBC declare social class of employees?

Bit if you mean “*socio-economic background, trisher* why not say so.
Social class is a much more emotive and inflammatory term.
Perhaps just an effective bit of (non-news) PR?

And the point is that if there is bias towards wealthier and privately educated people in a publicly owned media outlet we should at least know about it. And actually the lack of opportunities for clever and talented young people will impact on society, because if they are unable to access the jobs they are qualified and able to do they take up the jobs gillybob is describing or turn to other methods of making money. In any case what results is a larger number of unemployed able people and possibly a better educated criminal class.

She was born in 1957 janeainsworth so not really appropriate to show what is happening today

Of course I realise that Winifred was born in 1957 Trisher and Gilly, but the point is that she's working for the BBC now. I assumed from the OP that Corbyn wants to reveal the social class, background etc of current employees.

My real point was that I don't care what their background is. I just want them to be good, and fearless, at their job.

I didn't know about Sarah Smith's background either. I think her rasping, gravelly voice isn't suited to radio and distracts from whatever it is she's trying to say.

Exactly trisher .

What does a persons "class" have to do with anything. Surely the only criteria should be if they are the best person for the job

But would she get to where she is today had she been born in the 80's or 90's JaneA which is the point Alan Milburn was making.

Back in the 50's /60's (even 70's) a young person leaving school with little or few academic qualifications could still go on to do a good apprenticeship. They could perhaps get a job in the civil service (especially if they knew someone working there which is how it tended to work) . They could then go on to climb the ladder and do very well for themselves. These days one needs at least 5 good GCSE's for anything at all, which leaves what for those without academic qualifications?

But they are not necessarily always the best person for the job Oldwoman They just have the requested( but not always relevant) qualifications and come from the right background.

What is ‘the right background’ ?

I know that Sarah Smith is John Smith's daughter - I thought everyone did.

If we have fewer middle-class people working for the beeb would it become less left wing do you imagine?

But would she get to where she is today had she been born in the 80's or 90's JaneA which is the point Alan Milburn was making.

I was responding to the OP gilly, about what Corbyn has said, not about what Alan Milburn said, which is a different issue.

gillybob - that was my point it should not be about coming from the "right background" whatever that is. Instead of relying on whether someone got a degree (no matter in what subject), why not have them complete a questionnaire relating to the job they are applying for to see if they have the aptitude for it

What mummy or daddy do (or did) for a living, which school you went to, where you live etc. plus those magical 5 GCSE's in English, Maths, History, Geography, whatever........ really useful for a plasterer, brickie, joiner........etc.

I know that JaneA but the discussion on BBC radio Newcastle was on this exact subject. Hen said he himself would never have had the opportunities he did if he had been born decades later. You could get jobs without qualifications and climb the ladder. These days you cannot.

Kitty - you mean you think the BBC is left wing?
I could be wrong (haven't read the whole thread) but from something I heard on the radio earlier, I got the impression that Corbyn was very upset about the amount of time the BBC has spent on antisemitism in his party over the last few weeks.
If he became PM (personally I don't think it's likely) he would ensure there was less biased reporting, including a wider mix of social background among the reporters.

That's right Oldwoman it should be about how you will be able to do the job not whether you have 5 GCSE's .

We are reaching a point where no-one without academic qualifications will be able to get full time employment.

You live in a strange world gilly, I have been looking at apprentice applications, what their parents do is of no interest , where they live is because they may not have their own transport , can’t send a work van 15 miles to collect anyone .

Regardless of 'class' or where in the country one lives, nine times out of ten, success in life is down to the individual.

Needing 5 GCSEs before being accepted as an apprentice has been mentioned, but that is not always the case. Our builder is desperate to find a lad to train up, and all he needs is enthusiasm and for the lad to be prepared to work. He's not interested in how many exams he's passed, so long as he has common sense and is keen.

He was telling us how the first one was late for work every day for a week as he had to get up 'too early' so he had to be let go.
The second one found the work 'too hard' even though to start with he wasn't expected to do anything arduous.

So, the search goes on. The thing is this is a fantastic opportunity for a lad to learn the building trade and then set up on his own, if only these youngsters could see that.

Yes, this is in the Home Counties, but you can't tell me there aren't any builders in deprived areas up north with the same problem.

Same here in Wales Jennifer , I don’t care what GCSE’s applicants have ,

Okay so if we are splitting hairs........A very small company such as mine or the builder JenniferEccles talks about may take someone (one person) on with few or no qualifications, but try getting on an apprenticeship scheme with Nissan, the LA's, a large builder, BT, the civil service .... or any other large business or enterprise (the list is endless) and you will hit a brick wall.

The problem here in the NE is that there are too many self employed builders (often forced into becoming so due to lack of work from the big builders ) chasing the same small amount of work so no, it isn't a problem in the NE JenniferE . More likely (and from experience) a builder would offer some poor kid a few quid cash in hand to be a dogsbody for a few days on an "as and when basis". Not exactly career building is it?

I think the word is "would" not "will". I don't see them getting into power until well after Corbyn's time.

If education is good, then a better educated criminal class would be a good thing, wouldn't it trisher? I await the return of Raffles.

Well hardly grumppa the crimes would just get bigger and much more well thought out. Leaving nothing much for the Joe average car thief. Completely selfish.

So Corbyn wants all these changes because the beeb reported on anti semitism in the Labour Party, state radio in his mind ?

Grumppa Misha Glenny makes the point in his book McMafia that a relatively good education, combined with high levels of unemployment, has contributed to the high levels of organised crime in South American countries.