Social mobility is getting worse, leading to extremes of inequality and a disconnected, dysfunctional elite. So what can we do to create a more level playing field? Lee Elliot Major explores how middle-class privilege is increasingly ingrained by our education system, arguing that radical reforms are needed to tackle a massive waste of talent.

Lee Elliot Major is Professor of Social Mobility at the University of Exeter and chief executive of the Sutton Trust. His book, Social Mobility and Its Enemies, calls for radical reforms to address Britain’s low social mobility.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx