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News and blogs

Find our latest news, blogs from the SMC and external contributors, and catch up on any events you missed with our recaps and recordings

6 May 2025

The Child Poverty Act 15 years on: the truly disadvantaged must not be forgotten

More than 15 years after the Child Poverty Act came into force, we are at risk of losing sight of our truly disadvantaged communities. Alun Francis, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, and Alan Milburn, the Commission’s first Chair, tell us why we must not be distracted from supporting the people and places most in need.

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23 Apr 2025

From Silicon Valley to South Yorkshire: boosting innovation for economic growth

How can Britain tackle persistent barriers to economic growth in ‘left behind’ communities. Rob Wilson explores the issues with David Richards, managing partner of venture capital firm Yorkshire AI Labs.

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4 Apr 2025

Social Mobility Commission at 15 

Our Chair, Alun Francis, reflects on 15 years since the foundation of the Social Mobility Commission

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27 Feb 2025

What social mobility policy gets wrong: the view from Blackpool

Alun Francis, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, shares his view in an article originally posted in the Financial Times

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14 Feb 2025

Commission launches Economic Growth and Investment Group 

A better understanding of the barriers to growth and community change are crucial to improving opportunities and long-term social mobility.

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Alun Francis

7 Jan 2025

A new debate on opportunity and social mobility

Are conventional approaches to social mobility actually limiting opportunity? Alun Francis, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, tells us why policymakers must think differently

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16 Dec 2024

Social Mobility Talks: Childcare and Social Mobility

In our latest episode of the "Social Mobility Talks" podcast, Resham Kotecha, Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, explores the crucial role of childcare, family support and early years development in shaping social mobility outcomes across the UK.

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5 Dec 2024

Innovation Generation: next steps for social mobility

The Social Mobility Commission’s new strategy document sets out a new approach to social mobility.

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5 Dec 2024

Traditional social mobility approaches are failing to give enough opportunities to all

Social mobility progress in the UK could go further and faster but is being held back by a lack of economic growth and innovation.

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14 Oct 2024

Rob Wilson: Understanding the childhood origins of social mobility

Our new report reveals how disadvantage led to poorer outcomes and how social mobility is more complex than sometimes portrayed.

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9 Oct 2024

Young people face ‘troubling’ challenges to social mobility, Commission reveals

Social Mobility Commission report examines young people’s mental health, truancy, use of alcohol and drugs and the support they receive in the home.

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25 Sep 2024

Social Mobility – why impact matters

Carol Sommerville is Chief People Officer at Compass Group UK & Ireland and is a member of the Social Mobility Commission’s Employer Advisory Group.

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