UK Social Mobility Report Highlights Regional Disparities and Calls for Coherent Strategy
Alun Francis, the social mobility commissioner, has argued that there is no coherent, overarching UK strategy for social mobility. A recent commission report warns of extreme regional disparities, with former industrial and mining areas among the worst affected.
Francis criticized the current focus on individuals rather than a strategic national approach. While some housing and skills policies have been praised, others are described as stop-start. The report highlights that about 1 million young people are currently outside education, work, or training, a situation that a government spokesperson has described as a crisis.
The government is responding with a Milburn review aimed at building a system that ensures opportunity for all. Key findings from the report emphasize that family background heavily shapes education and life chances, and significant regional disparities persist.
Regions facing enduring disadvantages include the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the West Midlands, along with former mining areas in Wales and Scotland. By contrast, areas outside London that have favorable conditions for innovation and growth include Aberdeen, Brighton, Bristol, Chester, Edinburgh, Oxfordshire, Reading, and West Berkshire.
Between 2022 and 2024, almost half of 25 to 29 year-olds were in professional occupations, an increase from 36% during 2014 to 2016. Despite this improvement, people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds still benefit less from these opportunities.
Without an overall social mobility strategy, the government would struggle to address these issues and develop a clear plan for improvement.
