The education secretary has recommended Dame Martina Milburn as the preferred candidate for the position of chair of the government’s Social Mobility Commission.

Dame Martina, the chief executive of the Prince’s Trust charity for 14 years, has been put forward as the preferred candidate for the role. The charity, founded in 1976 by the Prince of Wales, supports disadvantaged young people across the country.

In December, all four members of the commission resigned in protest over a perceived lack of progress towards making a "fairer Britain" - including its chair, former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn.

Feel 'privileged' 

Education secretary Damian Hinds said that Dame Martina had spent her career as a tireless champion for underprivileged young people and their families. “Her leadership of the Prince’s Trust has improved the education, skills and self-esteem of thousands of young people, and will be key in progressing our social mobility agenda," he added.

“I am grateful to her predecessor Alan Milburn, whose work as chair of the commission over five years shone a light on the injustices that still exist too frequently in this country. I look forward to working with Dame Martina as she works with us to eliminate them.”

Dame Martina Milburn said she felt “privileged” to be nominated, adding: “I hope my experience of working closely with and listening to young people from different backgrounds will help make a difference.”

Mr Hinds will now ask Robert Halfon, chair of the Commons Education Select Committee, to arrange for the committee to meet Dame Martina. He will consider the committee’s conclusions before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.

Committee report 

The recommendation comes as the Department for Education (DfE) publishes its response to the committee’s report on the future of the Social Mobility Commission, which called for it to have "beefed-up" powers. On Tuesday, Mr Halfon introduced a 10-minute rule bill calling for the commission to be given extra powers and re-named the Social Justice Commission. 

The government said in its response it welcomed the committee’s recognition of the importance of the commission’s role and said it is committed to improving social mobility.

Commenting on the government’s response Mr Halfon said: “Our report set out how the Social Mobility Commission could really make a difference to the lives of the most disadvantaged in this country. We called for a beefed-up commission with the resources, direction and teeth needed to tackle society’s burning injustices but, in its response, the government has sadly failed to seize this opportunity.

“The committee will continue to pursue its key themes of ensuring social justice and making sure everyone from whatever background has the opportunity to climb the ladder of opportunity. We look forward to our public hearing with the government’s preferred candidate for chair of the commission and testing her commitment to tackling social injustice.”