<p><br /> Former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn is to make a surprise return to front line politics as an independent reviewer on social mobility for the new coalition Government, it has been announced.<br /> </p><p><br /> The appointment was confirmed by a spokesman for Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg who leads for the Government on issues of social mobility.<br /> </p><p><br /> In his new role, which is unpaid, Mr Milburn will look at how the policies of major institutions - including the professions, business and government - are contributing towards the goal of a more socially mobile society.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Clegg, who made the appointment, will set out further details in a speech later this week.<br /> </p><p><br /> However, Mr Milburn faced an angry backlash from former Labour colleagues, with former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott branding him a "collaborator".<br /> </p>
