Javier Espinoza reported for the Daily Telegraph on the Private Pay Progression research brief

Privately-educated graduates in top jobs blag their way to higher salaries because they are more assertive than their state school colleagues, a report has found.

The research showed that three-and-a-half years after leaving university,those who went to a fee-paying school take home almost £4,500 more.

The findings, published by the Sutton Trust and upReach, showed that graduates from less privileged backgrounds face a disadvantage when it comes to pay increases.

Researchers said the difference can be explained partly by the importance of soft skills, like articulacy and assertiveness among privately-educated graduates.

Read his full report here.