EIGHT people from the worlds of academia, politics, business and child welfare have been appointed to help former Darlington MP Alan Milburn promote greater social mobility.

Mr Milburn, who was Health Secretary under the last Labour Government, now chairs the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission.

The commission consists of: Baroness Gillian Shepherd, currently chair of the Council of the Institute of Education and former Education Secretary; Anne Marie Carrie, chief executive of Barnardo's; David Johnston, chief executive of the Social Mobility Foundation; Tom Attwood, from the Centre for Social Justice; Paul Gregg, director of the Centre for Analysis and Social Policy at Bath University; Paul Cleal, head of government and public sector at PwC; Catriona Williams, chief executive of Children in Wales; and Douglas Hamilton, head of Save the Children Scotland.

Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, said: "Everyone should have the same opportunities, whatever their circumstances or the background they are born into, and the commission has an important role to play in achieving that outcome." 

Mr Milburn said "I am delighted to welcome the new members of the commission. The skills and experience they bring will be vital in helping the Government realise the ambition of moving children out of poverty and giving everyone the opportunity to succeed."