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News and blogs

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

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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11 Sep 2024

Social Mobility Commission launches State of the Nation 2024 Report

The Social Mobility Commission has released its annual statutory State of the Nation Report, titled "Local to National: Mapping Opportunities for All".

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11 Sep 2024

Social Mobility Talks: How can employers support social mobility 

The latest episode of ‘Social Mobility Talks’ looks at the competitive advantage to businesses from building socio-economic background into their inclusion strategies.

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11 Sep 2024

Commission calls for targeted action to improve young people’s life chances in ‘left-behind’ places across the UK 

The government should adopt a place-based strategy to improve young people’s life chances in the areas with the lowest social mobility prospects in the UK, the Social Mobility Commission says

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10 Sep 2024

Social Mobility Commission launches Childhood Origins of Social Mobility Report

The Childhood Origins of Social Mobility Report examines factors that influence social mobility in the UK, offering insights into the complex relationships between parental backgrounds, childhood experiences, and future life chances.

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Alun Francis

27 Aug 2024

Who are Britain’s left behind and what is to blame?

Anyone who has lived or worked in poor communities knows they are complex. When it comes to supporting these communities, solutions are often in short supply or ineffective. Here SMC Chair, Alun Francis shares his view with the FT on the current issues facing Britain's left behind communities.

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15 Aug 2024

Social Mobility Talks: The Value of Qualifications 

In this latest episode of the “Social Mobility Talks” podcast, Rob Wilson, Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, discusses the value of qualifications with former Minister for Universities and Science, The Rt Hon. Lord Willetts FRS.

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Alun Francis

1 Aug 2024

SMC breaks new ground with launch of think piece series

The SMC has published three leading-edge think pieces, written by experts in their fields, to explore a range of economy-focused perspectives on social mobility.

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22 May 2024

Developing Skills and Talent: Social Mobility and Post-16 Education

How can we improve outcomes for non-graduates entering the job market? And how can the careers system enable greater social mobility? These are just some of the questions answered at our expert-led panel.

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14 May 2024

EYFS: Sure Start wasn’t perfect, but lessons can be learned

Despite new research highlighting the positive impact of Sure Start, there are reasons why the scheme shouldn’t simply be relaunched, says Alun Francis,  Chair of the Social Mobility Commission.

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