Labour's 'blunt' drive to treat social class discrimination like racism and sexism is a 'mistake' says head of scrapped social mobility body

Labour's new plan to put social class discrimination on a par with racial and sexual discrimination is unlikely to work, the head of an axed social mobility body warned today. Alun Francis, the chairman of the Social Mobility Commission (SMC), also criticised a lack of independent scrutiny of a replacement unit announced by ministers last week. Bridget Phillipson, the equalities minister, said she was creating Whitehall's first dedicated team to reduce class inequalities and discrimination and closing the SMC.The new unit will sit alongside similar units covering race, gender, LGBT and disability rights inside the Office for Equality and Opportunity.One of the new unit's first tasks will be to impose a socio-economic duty on public bodies, legally requiring them to consider how to improve the lives of lower-income families as part of decisions around issues like transport, services and budgets.The SMC, launched in 2010 and previously known as the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, will close as part of the plans.Asked if the new set up would work, Mr Francis told the BBC today: 'If they [the government] have decided that a unit for class offers a better way forward for their agenda then I wish them well. I don't think they're right and I think it's a mistake.' Alun Francis, the chairman of the Social Mobility Commission (SMC), said Labour's new plan to put social class discrimination on a par with racial and sexual discrimination is unlikely to work Bridget Phillipson, the equalities minister, said she was creating Whitehall's first dedicated team to reduce class inequalities and discrimination and closing the SMCSpeaking to Radio 4's The Westminster Hour he questioned whether the new body would have the right 'expertise', adding: 'There are serious problems of definition around class. 'Do we define it by occupation or income or culture? Each of those have their own challenges. 'It's a very useful concept sometimes for broad understanding of broad patterns. But when it comes down to designing interventions focused on individuals or individual groups, it's a very blunt tool.' Bridget Phillipson last week said social class is a 'deep barrier to opportunity' and repeated Prime Minister Andy Burnham's political mantra that his Government will 'bring hope back to communities'.The new unit will reflect the role of class in how people are treated and the opportunities they have in life, the Government said.Considerations will include working class people's experiences of public services, health disparities and access to employment.The Government said it will bring in a socio-economic duty, which is something Britain's rights watchdog – the Equality and Human Rights Commission – has previously called for and was a Labour Party manifesto commitment.As a new power in the Equality Act, it will legally require public bodies to consider how to improve the lives of lower-income families as part of decisions around issues including transport, services and budgets.It is understood that while the unit will seek to address outcomes for the working class overall, there will be a specific focus on improving outcomes for white working class people amid concerns this group has been neglected in recent years.The SMC, launched in 2010 and previously known as the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, will close, with Ms Phillipson telling Parliament its work 'will be brought into the heart of Government as we get Britain believing once again'.That commission was established to assess progress in improving social mobility in the UK and to promote social mobility in England, but the department said there were no examples in the past decade of its work having directly informed government policy.Mr Francis told the BBC Ms Phillipson has apologised for this attack on his work.Joy Morrissey, the Tory shadow equalities minister, previously criticised Ms Phillipson's plans and warned against pushing 'more bureaucracy' on organisations.She said: 'White working-class boys do not need another Labour quango lecturing them about identity and privilege.And Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, welcomed the Government's announcement, but warned against 'crude class labels'.