Devolution, growth and opportunity: How the Liverpool City Region is closing the opportunity gap

In the latest episode of the Social Mobility Talks podcast, Alun Francis, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission is joined by Steve Rotherham, Metro Major of the Liverpool City Region. 

Elected as the first Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region in 2017, Steve is responsible for exercising the powers and functions devolved from the government to the Liverpool City region, as part of its devolution deal. 

Together Alun and Steve discuss different career pathways, how devolution can enable opportunity and growth, and how digital connectivity has placed the Liverpool City Region on the global economic stage. 

Speaking on the podcast, Steve Rotherham, Metro Major of the Liverpool City Region, said:

“The entrepreneurial spirit of Scousers and people in the wider city region is writ large. But what we’ve suffered from for far too long is a lack of opportunity. So we’re creating those opportunities… Whitehall can come up with great ideas, but practically speaking we’re not homogenous, are we? Not everywhere is the same. We need tailor, bespoke solutions to certain areas, and that’s what we’re able to do.”

Social Mobility Talks is a podcast from the Social Mobility Commission examining how we can improve social mobility and create a society where the circumstances of your birth don’t determine where you end up in life. 

You can watch the latest podcast on YouTube or listen on Spotify or Apple