The widening inequality gap post-COVID and what it means for access to learning and the labour market


A new forum to urgently gather views and evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on the widening inequalities gap and the role that learning and skills can play to address it.

The Inequalities Panel was established in early 2021 to urgently gather views and evidence on the impact of COVID on the widening inequalities gap and the role that learning and skills can play to address it. 

Read the report:

"We are not all in the same boat. We are all in the same storm.
Some are on super-yachts. Some have just the one oar."

- Damian Barr (Journalist), Twitter, April 2020

Addressing post-COVID inequality

The Panel was led by Cindy Rampersaud, former Senior Vice President Pearson BTEC & Apprenticeships, and chaired by the Rt Hon Anne Milton, former Minister of State for Education (2017-2019) and Minister for Women (2017-2018).

It examined the research and unique polling of two thousand people, heard evidence from expert witnesses, but also overlayed this with human experiences, bringing to life the impact on a diverse group of individuals across society by carrying out in-depth interviews with those experiencing the statistics first-hand. 

After considering the research and the powerful testimony heard in the Panel are able to offer a list of urgent action points to be facilitated by government, business, and local leaders. They include: 

  • In education: the development of a high-level targeted mentoring scheme, the continued promotion of the vocational route as a valuable pathway, and a joined-up system which provides access to advice, career information and a way to match their skills with the opportunities on offer.  
  • In employment: the creation of a more flexible and affordable childcare system, offering support to the most vulnerable employees, and doing more to encourage people from minority groups, or who are disadvantaged, to access apprenticeships and support schemes.  
  • And in our approach: ensuring we codesign actions with the beneficiaries of those actions and bring together national and local authorities to provide future-focused data on needs and opportunities within the economy.

Read more about the Post-COVID Inequality project in the press

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What next?

Pearson are working through the findings of the report and will be taking concrete steps, working in partnership with others, to address the issues raised. We will promote our activities and post them here. 

A note from Cindy Rampersaud

“We know that the impact of COVID-19 has been devastating for many, with far-reaching economic and social consequences. Evidence is increasingly pointing to a widening inequalities gap - deepening existing ones and creating new ones. We know that access to learning and skills is a powerful enabler for economic growth and social mobility. As we emerge into a post-COVID world the role of education, learning, reskilling will be even more crucial in helping people to make progress in their lives and in restarting the economy.”

- Cindy Rampersaud, Former Senior Vice President Pearson BTEC & Apprenticeships 

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Forum sponsors

Cindy Rampersaud

Cindy Rampersaud

Cindy joined Pearson in 2017 as Senior Vice President - BTEC and Apprenticeships where she was responsible for Pearson UK's portfolio of technical, vocational and apprenticeship qualifications. 

Rt Hon Anne Milton

Rt Hon Anne Milton

Anne is a former Nurse, MP for Guildford and Minister of State for Education (2017-2019) and Minister for Women (2017-2018). She was also Minister of State for Skills & Apprenticeships. 

Forum members

The Forum's members are:

Rt. Hon. Anne Milton, Chair, Minister of State for Education (2017-2019) and Minister for Women (2017-2018)

Cindy Rampersaud, Former Senior Vice President of BTEC & Apprenticeships, Pearson Plc, , EMPower Involve Role Model | TED Speaker | WeQual Member | CMgr CCMI

Kate Ambrosi, Assistant Director of Education, Baker Dearing Education Trust (Baker Dearing)

Sir Nic Dakin, Director of Skills and Training, Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, Shadow Minister (Education) (2015-2016)

Dr Darrell DeSouza, Principal and Chief Executive, Harrow College & Uxbridge College (HCUC)

Jeff Greenidge, Director for Diversity, Education and Training Foundation (ETF) and Association of Colleges (AoC)

David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges (AoC)

Yvonne Kelly, Principal and CEO, Barking & Dagenham College

Janet Legrand QC (Hon), Chair, The Children’s Society, Senior Lay Member of Court at the University of Edinburgh

Siân Owen, Director of Stakeholder and Portfolio Management, BTEC & Apprenticeships, Pearson Plc

Siobhan Randell, Senior Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager, Multiverse

Kathy Slack OBE, Chief Executive, Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership

Denise Wilson OBE, Chief Executive, Hampton-Alexander Review