Podcasts
In this series, our Commissioners chat to experts on all sorts of topics, from parenting to apprenticeships, to discover what works (and what doesn’t work!) to improve social mobility.
"Manchesterism": Building the UK’s Leading Engine of Social Mobility | with Mayor Andy Burnham
Can devolution be a game changer for social mobility?
Social Mobility Commission Chair Alun Francis is joined by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham to discuss his vision for Greater Manchester Combined Authority and his call for more radical devolution across the county to support local solutions which deliver growth and opportunity.
Greater Manchester is one of the country’s most successful city-regions. Home to nearly 3 million people and with an economy bigger than that of Wales or Northern Ireland. Since the election of Andy Burnham as its first metro-mayor in 2017 Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been hailed as a the trailblazer of English devolution, with wide ranging powers including transport, business support, employment and skills and housing investment, leading some to refer to Burnham as “King of the North”.
Previous episodes
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Who shapes the future? Women, Tech and AI
Right now only 1 in 4 tech workers are women and just 9% are from a low socio-economic background. What does it mean when the sector shaping the future doesn’t… read more
Topics
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Is Britain missing out on “bags of talent”? With Justine Greening
Is Britain missing out on “bags of talent”? In the latest episode of the Social Mobility Commission podcast Commissioner Ryan Henson speaks to former Education Secretary Justine Greening. Justine is… read more
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How Liverpool is closing the opportunity gap – with Mayor Steve Rotheram
How is Liverpool closing the opportunity gap? In our latest podcast, our Chair Alun Francis and Mayor Steve Rotheram examine: how devolution is helping to create meaningful opportunities for people… read more
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From Silicon Valley to South Yorkshire: boosting innovation for economic growth – with David Richards
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…. read more
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Why Childcare Matters – with Edward Davies
Childcare, family and early years all have an important role in social mobility outcomes in the UK. Resham Kotecha, Social Mobility Commission Deputy Chair, speaks to Ed Davies, Policy Director… read more
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How can employers support social mobility? With Hollie Crompton and Neil Morrison
Social mobility is about competitive advantage not corporate social responsibility. Hollie Crompton, Social Mobility Lead at PWC, and Neil Morrison, HR Director for Severn Trent, discuss how putting social mobility… read more
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The Value of Qualifications – with Lord Willetts
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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Regional inequality – with Ed Balls
Resham Kotecha, Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, discusses regional inequalities, innovation, devolution, breakfast clubs and more with former Cabinet Minister, Ed Balls.
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The importance of early years – with David Bell
Rob Wilson, Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission hosts the latest edition of our podcast with Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sunderland, discussing early years care… read more
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AI – a tool for social mobility? With Adrian Joseph
Resham Kotecha, Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission discusses AI with Adrian Joseph OBE, including how it can be used to help address social mobility, representation in the tech… read more
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National Apprenticeship Week – with Tom Richmond
Alun Francis, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, interviews Tom Richmond, Founder and Director of EDSK, in a National Apprenticeship Week episode looking at the potential apprenticeships have to improve… read more
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What can we learn from US Charter Schools? With Barry Smith
Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, Rob Wilson, interviews education consultant Barry Smith.
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Family Hubs – with Samantha Callan
Alun Francis, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, interviews Samantha Callan, the Co-Founder and Director of Family Hubs, on the programme’s strengths and weaknesses.
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What have we learnt from Sure Start? With Neomi Eisenstadt
Alun Francis, Chair of the Social Mobility Commission interviews Naomi Eisenstadt, the first Director of Sure Start.
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Are contextualised admissions and recruitment a good thing? With Joanne Conway
Our Interim Chair Alun Francis is joined by Joanne Conway, Head of Diversity and Inclusiveness at EY, Professor Stephen Gorard, Durham University, and Professor Barnaby Lenon, Head of the Independent… read more
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Parenting – with Lee Elliot Major
Katharine is joined by the UK’s first Professor of Social Mobility, Lee Elliot Major (Exeter University) to discuss the role that parents and families play in social mobility. The Social… read more
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