- New report from The Social Mobility Commission (SMC) highlights the potential impact of a place-based approach to social mobility; empowering local governments with decisions that affect their communities
- From transport to T-levels, the Commission’s “Regional Insights: Creating fairer chances across the regions” suggests that locally led initiatives focused on four high-potential themes could improve social mobility outcomes for many.
- With nearly 1 million ‘NEET’ young people and nearly 639,000 UK graduates claiming benefits, new recommendations signal new opportunities for the many who are currently locked out of current offers and pathways
- The Commission has worked in partnership with local leaders, businesses and residents across the country to produce recommendations that include: implementing new measures to enable young people to experience the world of work before they leave school, better support to lift people out of welfare and into work, and giving local people a reason to believe that success is possible within their communities
New report published today by the Social Mobility Commission shows how practical, locally-led decisions — from introducing better buses to providing early work experience — can unlock opportunity for millions of people across the UK. The findings draw on a year of roundtables with local leaders from multiple sectors, visits to projects across the country, and conversations with people working to increase opportunity in their communities.
With the number of young people who are ‘NEET’ now exceeding 1 million, and recent data showing that over 639,000 graduates are now claiming benefits, the Commission’s new report “Regional Insights: Creating fairer chances across the regions” highlights the pivotal role of local knowledge in addressing the issues at the heart of Britain’s social mobility problem.
The report reveals four high-potential themes that local leaders consistently identified. These include: ensuring young people get to experience the world of work before leaving school; improving the transport links that help people reach jobs and training; better supporting people who are stuck in long-term economic inactivity; and helping people to feel pride and a sense of belonging in their local community.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:
“Greater Manchester is showing what can be achieved when devolved authorities are given the powers and resources to open up opportunities for residents and tackle inequality. This report endorses our place-based and place-first approach, recognising that good growth comes from the bottom up, not top down.
Devolution has given us the ability to introduce better systems of physical and social mobility, and link education and transport with housing and planning. Through the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate we are aligning our technical education system with the needs of the local economy to create more opportunities for young people, and by integrating our public transport system under the Bee Network, we’ve made moving around Greater Manchester easier, cheaper and more accessible for everyone.”
“Just as we pioneered a new model for devolution, we are now ready to pioneer a new model of good growth.”
Helping young people experience work
Local leaders told the Commission that young people need stronger access to the world of work throughout secondary education. Without it, they struggle to understand the labour market, the skills employers value, or the full range of routes available — whether vocational, technical or academic. To address this, the Commission is encouraging local government to strengthen collaboration between FE colleges and employers, ensure high-quality, locally relevant careers advice, and expand access to work experience or career days that reflect the needs of the local economy.
Sandwell College in the West Midlands is one example of what this can look like in practice. Through strong community outreach and employer engagement, the college offers on-the-job learning as part of T-level courses, combining classroom study with at least 315 hours (45 days) of industry placement. Staff have seen clear long-term benefits for students, including increased confidence, ambition and stronger links with local industries.
Lisa Capper MBE, CEO and Principal of The Sandwell Colleges commented:
“Work and industry placements give our learners a powerful advantage, allowing them to apply their skills and knowledge in real world settings. These experiences provide them with opportunities to understand more about professional expectations, build their confidence and develop a wide range of essential softer skills, helping them to make informed career choices. Crucially, they progress to the next level of their qualification or step out to begin their early career, not only qualified, but truly ready for the world of work.”
Supporting people to move from welfare into work
Commissioners also heard how local government could be better enabled to prevent people — particularly young adults — from falling into long-term economic inactivity or getting stuck on welfare. Investing in adult literacy and numeracy, and tackling digital exclusion, can help people build the skills required by employers and move back into work.
A lack of reliable local transport is also a persistent barrier to accessing employment. Improving bus, train and tram connections between towns, cities and key ‘opportunity hubs’ would open-up access without forcing people to relocate away from their families and support networks.
Building local pride and belief
Finally, the Commission heard how fostering a sense of belonging and local pride can be transformative — especially when people believe that success is achievable within their neighbourhoods. Community-driven programmes and strong local leadership play an essential role in helping people visualise what success looks like, and in challenging long-held perceptions about what is possible.
A focus on the ‘right’ social mobility problem
The report also highlights the need to shift focus away from policies that help only a small number of people into elite jobs. Instead, the Commission argues for a place-based strategy that helps more people, in more places, to see real progress.
Alun Francis OBE, Social Mobility Commission Chair, commented:
“The findings in the Regional Insights report reiterate the Commission’s view that a one-size-fits-all national approach to social mobility does not work. Everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed – but what success looks like is different for everyone. We need to reflect this diversity of experience and individual needs in our policymaking. Only a place-based and local-insight-led approach that addresses real local challenges, to affect real local change.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:
“No community should feel left behind. I’m determined to build a region where everyone, no matter their background, can get ahead and succeed. That means breaking down the barriers to social mobility and creating real opportunities for young people. My West Midlands Works Plan sets out to do just that by helping thousands of people into good secure jobs so they can achieve their potential.”
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:
“For too long, opportunity has depended on your postcode, and that has to change.
“Here in the Liverpool City Region, we’re trying to show what practical, locally-driven change looks like:
freezing bus fares to keep travel affordable, supporting those struggling most through Households into Work, and giving care leavers the dignity of free travel as they take their first steps into adulthood.“These are simple interventions, but they can transform someone’s life chances. This report makes clear that if we want lasting progress on social mobility, then we have to keep putting power and trust in the hands of local communities.”
Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE, Leader of Barnsley Council, said:
“We welcome the Social Mobility Commission’s commitment to a holistic approach – because real change happens when we look at the whole picture. In Barnsley, our ambition is for local people to live happy, healthy and productive lives. That means breaking down barriers and creating opportunities that truly make a difference.