Two-thirds of Britons still believe who you know matters more than what you know when it comes to getting on in life, a survey has found.
The poll also found three-quarters of the population believe family background has a significant impact on a person's life changes.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has faced criticism for saying unpaid internships limit social mobility after it emerged his father helped arrange work experience for him at a bank when he was at school.
The survey, for the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, found 84% of people believe employers should pay wages that better reflect the cost of living, to support the working poor.
The poll of 2272 adults found 65% of the public thought "who you know matters more than what you know" in Britain today.
Some 76% believe family background significantly influences an individual's chances of doing well in life.
But there was a split when people were asked about their own background, with 41% agreeing and 41% disagreeing that their parents' income had influenced where they had got to in life.
The Commission's chairman, former Labour minister Alan Milburn, said: "These findings show the high levels of public concern about unfairness in Britain.
"Flatlining social mobility and rising child poverty is not a viable proposition for our country. Both government and employers should heed the call to pay decent wages to help the forgotten five million people who are the working poor."
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