@smcommission.bsky.social
Official feed of the Social Mobility Commission. We monitor progress towards improving social mobility in the UK & promote social mobility in England. https://linktr.ee/socialmobilitycommission
From a council estate in Durham to Project Manager at BAE Systems plc, Anastacia was
unemployed and losing confidence, until a work placement helped her to expand her horizons.
A decade on from her apprenticeship, she’s now eyeing a degree and chartered status. Life-changing. ✨
Postgraduate degrees are increasingly important for navigating and succeeding in the ""new economy"
Yet there is a growing gap between people of richer and poorer backgrounds for postgraduate study.
Is talent being left behind?
"Successive governments have kind of maintained that obsession with the university route...but they never had a corresponding ambition for those kids who wanted different paths"
@greatermcr.bsky.social Mayor @andyburnham.bsky.social on the importance of alternative pathways.
"It’s not just about "who you know."
Jack, a young carer with hearing loss, dreamed of being a lawyer but didn't know how.
Via a widening participation program, he gained the confidence and experience to succeed. Now a trainee solicitor, he’s giving back to the next generation.
"There's too many young people growing up in this country with no hope"
@greatermcr.bsky.social Mayor @andyburnham.bsky.social calls for greater ambition and more local solutions to combat the lasting legacy of de-industrialisation.
Listen here 👉 https://bit.ly/46KMokv
This #WorldBookDay, celebrates the power of a story. 📚
Studies show mothers from well off backgrounds can spend nearly half an hour longer each day on activities like reading with their children than those from a lower socio-economic background.
More: https://bit.ly/3MGG4DT
After a 40 year career in nursing, Valy Ely came back from retirement to work at a local college, inspiring her to finally get her Maths GCSE. 🎓
This gave her a huge boost to her esteem enabling her to spend the next 3 years using the new skills she’d learnt helping others.
Can devolution be a game changer for social mobility?
New podcast episode: "Manchesterism": Building the UK’s Leading Engine of Social Mobility.
Chair Alun Francis is joined by GMCA Mayor @andyburnham.bsky.social to discuss his vision for Greater Manchester.
Link in our bio
It’s National Careers Week!
For #NCW2026, we’re championing the theme Own Your Future. Your background shouldn't determine your destination. We're working to ensure every young person has the guidance to succeed. 🚀
Talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t—yet.
Our Deputy Chair Rob Wilson is in Northern Ireland to hear from local leaders about how innovation & economic growth can drive #SocialMobility
Thanks to all attendees!
"We’ve never offered equality of opportunity in this country. We’ve never had true social mobility." 🚨
Mayor of Greater Manchester @andyburnham.bsky.social joins our Chair Alun Francis to discuss his vision for making GM the UK's leading engine of social mobility.
Coming next week! 🎙️
“Too many young people growing up today don't have that sense of purpose and hope. And I think that's what we need to restore.”
Miriam Cates discusses what social mobility means to her.
3 in 4 Britons say they see big gaps between social classes. But concern over inequality takes a back seat to other major issues like inflation, the UK economy and the NHS.
👉Find out more in Perceptions of #SocialMobility in the UK https://bit.ly/4oCzAmp
“Too many young people are having their prospects shaped by their postcode rather than their own potential”.
Deputy Chair Rob Wilson speaks to @@lbc.co.uk @piptomson.bsky.social
about how uneven investment is limiting young people's prospects.
“Focusing on the individual has not yielded results.” @manchester.ac.uk Prof Sherilyn MacGregor calls for a fair and just approach to social mobility.
Is social mobility getting harder?
Our research shows over 1 in 2 people think it's becoming more difficult for people from less advantaged backgrounds to move up in British society.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4oCzAmp
BTS at the GMCA for #SocialMobilityTalks! 🎙️
Our Chair Alun Francis sat down with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to discuss his vision for making Greater Manchester the UK's leading engine of social mobility.
Coming soon to YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts!
Since the 2026 theme for #NAW2026 is "Skills for Life" the argument for free transport is even stronger: you can't build "skills for life" if you're held back by the cost of the first mile.
Read the full Regional Insights report reccomendations here 👉 bit.ly/48iuLbL
Allowing young people to access work experience is fundamental to their future. Apprenticeships and internships are just some of the ways that young people can experience work.
Listen to what our interns said about their time with us. #NAW2026
Discover the 4 key themes driving change across the UK. Read the full report: bit.ly/4reUbPh
Social mobility must not be a “postcode lottery”
Our Regional Insights report breaks down exactly how we can close the attainment gap through targeted investment and local policy shifts.
It’s National Apprenticeship Week!
Apprenticeships are an important part of the conversation on improving #SocialMobility in the UK. Check out our website for more resources
#NAW2026 #Apprenticeship
Does it feel harder to improve your social mobility?
Despite data showing improved opportunity, the public feels the squeeze of inflation and the housing market.
Read more in our report Perceptions on Social Mobility in the UK👉 https://bit.ly/4oCzAmp
More professional jobs 📈 Less social mobility? 📉
Our research shows that more young people than ever now work in professional jobs, but those from more affluent backgrounds are benefiting the most.
Read the full report: https://bit.ly/49mQmBG
"This is a space in which you can belong."
TechSheCan CEO Claire Thorne on opening up conversations around AI to attract girls from ethnically diverse, low socio-economic backgrounds."
Every young person deserves access to real opportunity, regardless of background. 📍
Across the country we have seen how T-levels can ensure that students gain the skills, confidence and professional insight needed for successful careers.
Rural areas across the UK face declining opportunities for young people. Long distances to further education and high-skilled jobs, combined with expensive travel costs, mean young people in rural communities risk falling further behind as the economy shifts.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/3YxBycS
If you missed our webinar where we discussed the key findings from our latest State of the Nation report you can listen to the full recording on our Youtube 👉 https://youtu.be/T5BznI-KhfU
“It’s in the ether…a general sense that maybe you don’t belong” - Tech She Can CEO Claire Thorne on how children’s aspirations can be shaped before they even reach school.
3 in 4 Britons say they see big gaps between social classes. But concern over inequality takes a back seat to other major issues like inflation, the UK economy and the NHS.
Read more in our report Perceptions of Social Mobility in the UK 👉 https://bit.ly/4oCzAmp