“Manchesterism”: Building the UK’s Leading Engine of Social Mobility

Can devolution be a game changer for social mobility?

Social Mobility Commission Chair Alun Francis is joined by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham to discuss his vision for Greater Manchester Combined Authority and his call for more radical devolution across the county to support local solutions which deliver growth and opportunity. Greater Manchester is one of the country’s most successful city-regions. Home to nearly 3 million people and with an economy bigger than that of Wales or Northern Ireland. Since the election of Andy Burnham as its first metro-mayor in 2017 Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been hailed as a the trailblazer of English devolution, with wide ranging powers including transport, business support, employment and skills and housing investment, leading some to refer to Burnham as “King of the North”. In this episode, Andy and Alun discuss:

• What the other parts of the country can learn from Manchester’s success.

• Combating the lasting legacy of deindustrialisation.
• Why Andy is so passionate about creating opportunities for the “kids without connections.”

Resources Mentioned

• State of the Nation 2025
• Data Explorer tool
• Perceptions of Social Mobility in the UK
• Innovation and Social Mobility