The barriers to economic growth in ‘left behind’ communities must be tackled if we are to improve the life chances of the country’s most disadvantaged people, the Social Mobility Commission has said.
Rob Wilson, Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission (SMC) made the call ahead of today’s launch of its Economic Growth and Investment Group, which aims to boost regional growth, entrepreneurship, and investment in areas of economic disadvantage outside of London and the south east.
He said: “Successive UK governments, organisations and businesses have tried and often failed for decades to improve growth in areas of profound economic disadvantage. Yet despite their best efforts, the impact of many of their policies and interventions remains frustratingly limited. Some might even argue a number of these policies have taken us backwards.”
The Commission believes a place-based approach, led by local leaders, that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship, together with a joined up skills and employment strategy, could be key to growing opportunities in economically disadvantaged areas.
The Economic Growth and Investment Group comprises leading entrepreneurs, business experts and economists from different parts of the country, including Kier Group, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Competition and Markets Authority and others. They will provide fresh insight on the longstanding challenges affecting ‘left behind’ places. The Commission will also meet with local and regional leaders to inform and promote further action.
The Group will draw up policy recommendations for the Government, with the aim of empowering communities to break down persistent barriers to growth. Their insights will also support the development of a wider strategic framework, which can be tailored to support place-based approaches.
The SMC’s State of the Nation 2024 report revealed an enduring lack of opportunity for young people in former mining, shipbuilding and traditional manufacturing areas of the UK. It also showed large disparities in social mobility outcomes across geographical areas, with coastal and rural areas in the north-east, north-west and south-west encountering the greatest barriers to opportunity.
Rob Wilson, Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission said:
“The Government’s push for growth is welcome, but we must also address the untapped and wasted opportunity in ‘left behind’ places, if it is to benefit the people and communities most in need.
“We hope that the Economic Growth and Investment Group’s recommendations will help pave the way for even more local jobs, regional growth and development, and thus expand opportunities for social mobility.”
Louise Quinney, Chief Operating Officer, Movement to Work
“The launch of the SMC’s Group is an essential step in ensuring that investment and high-quality employment opportunities reach all communities, particularly those that have historically faced barriers to growth.
By bringing together business leaders, policy experts, and those with real experience of driving change, we have a unique opportunity to shape practical solutions that encourage business investment, entrepreneurship, and job creation in under-served regions.”
Craig Beaumont, Executive Director, Federation of Small Businesses, said:
“The benefits of people simply ‘getting on’ and grasping opportunities available can have a huge impact not only on people’s own lives, but also on local, regional and UK economic growth, too.
“I am really pleased to see the new Economic Growth and Investment Group launched and delighted to be invited to contribute; I hope that we look across the piste at areas so far overlooked, such as how self-employment and setting up your own small business can lift earnings and aspiration.”
Nick Harrison, Chief Executive of the Sutton Trust, said:
“There are huge regional disparities in access to opportunity in this country. Making use of all the talent and potential available is essential to growing our economy. Investing in skills and training to harness untapped talent in social mobility cold spots would help to tackle skills shortages that are hampering productivity.
“Crucially, this would enable people from all social backgrounds and areas of the country to play a part in and benefit from economic growth.”
David Richards MBE, Co Founder of Yorkshire AI Labs LLP said:
“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. That’s the stark reality we face, particularly in regions like Yorkshire, where the opportunity gap continues to hold people back.
“We need bold action to break down barriers, create real pathways to success, and ensure that where you start in life doesn’t determine where you end up.”
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Notes to Editors
Economic Growth and Investment Group members:
Member list issued on a no direct approach basis.
Please contact daria.neklesa@socialmobilitycommission.gov.uk for all interview requests or enquiries.
AO World – John Roberts, Chief Executive Officer
Business in the Community – Mary Macleod, Chief Executive
Competition and Markets Authority – Dr Mike Walker, Chief Economist
Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology – Professor Beverley Gibbs, Director
Everton in the Community – Sue Gregory, Chief Executive Officer
Federation of Small Businesses – Craig Beaumont, Executive Director
High Value Manufacturing Catapult – Katherine Bennett CBE, Chief Executive Officer
Kier Group plc – Simon Kesterton, Chief Financial Officer
Manchester City Council; Greater Manchester Combined Authority – Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council; Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth Lead, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Movement to Work – Louise Quinney, Chief Operating Officer
Pod point and Brill Power – Dr Andy Palmer, Executive Chairman, Former Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin and Chief Operating Officer of Nissan
Siemens GB&I – James Murnieks – Chief Financial Officer
Unbiased – Karen Barrett, Founder and Chief Executive Officer
University College London – Professor Sir Richard Blundell, Professor of Political Economy
University of Manchester – Professor Richard Jones, Fellow of the Royal Society, Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement
University of Manchester – Aurore Hochard, Director, Masood Entrepreneurship Centre
Yorkshire AI Labs LLP – David Richards MBE, Managing Partner
About the commission
The Social Mobility Commission is an advisory, non-departmental public body established under the Life Chances Act 2010 as modified by the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016. It has a duty to assess progress in improving social mobility in the United Kingdom and to promote social mobility in England.
It comprises:
Commission Chair
Alun Francis, Chief Executive of Blackpool & The Fylde College
Deputy Chairs
Resham Kotecha, Head of Policy at the Open Data Institute
Rob Wilson, Chairman at WheelPower – British Wheelchair Sport
Commissioners
Dr Raghib Ali, Senior Clinical Research Associate at the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge
Ryan Henson, Chief Executive Officer at the Coalition for Global Prosperity
Parminder Kohli, Chair Shell UK Ltd and Shell Group Executive Vice President Sustainability and Carbon
The Rt Hon Baroness Tina Stowell of Beeston MBE