Reflections on the Social Mobility Commission’s ‘State of the Nation’ Annual Report 2024

The Social Mobility Commission’s ‘State of the Nation’ report 2024 reveals limited improvement in social mobility across the UK, and persistent inequalities and challenges in achieving greater progress in this crucial area. Importantly, the Commission has drilled down into how outcomes vary locally, rather than simply regionally, providing greater insight into 203 localities, compared to 41 last year. This provides a fuller and more nuanced picture, and some striking details of just how much work there is still to do.

Key insights:

Regional disparities endure.

There remains a North-South divide in the drivers of social mobility, but areas with strong transport links are associated with increased mobility rates.
The lowest social mobility areas tend to be in former mining, industrial and ship-building areas as well as rural and coastal areas.
London and the South East have better educational attainment and employment opportunities, meaning higher social mobility levels.

Persistent educational attainment gaps between disadvantaged students and their peers influence futures, but some gaps are closing.

The socioeconomic background enrolment gap in universities has nearly halved in 8 years; more students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are undertaking higher education.
The difference between what young people with lower qualifications and those with higher qualifications are earning has narrowed.
Yet, barriers remain. Financial constraints and differences in guidance affect access to, and success in, higher education.
There are marked differences in achievement among Free School Meal-eligible children from different ethnic backgrounds.

Economic inequality and job market changes are linked to social mobility.

Unsurprisingly, the challenges faced by those from lower-income backgrounds play a significant role in impeding mobility.
For unemployed young people, it is currently more difficult to find a job, due to fewer vacancies, uneven distribution of secure employment, skills shortages in certain industries and areas and poor access to vocational training.

Reflections on the findings:

Equitable access and sustainable pathways to opportunities across the country are key for social mobility. We welcome the Social Mobility Commission’s more granular insight, providing a sharper lens to understand geographical differences by breaking the UK down to 203 local areas. The Commission themselves call for a placed-based approach led by devolved authorities to help shape positive outcomes for all. Each child is an individual, and each context matters; such close analysis provides valuable insight as the Government devolve more powers into local areas.

While there have been some initiatives and policies aimed at addressing these issues, the overall changes have not been substantial enough to signal a major shift towards increased social mobility. We hope this more detailed data helps us get to the heart of the issue and what works, and, most importantly, where requires heightened intervention to improve the drivers of social mobility for young people. Findings showing that young people from lower socio-economic households growing up in somewhere like London experience higher mobility than if they were growing up in other regions demonstrate how we can, and must, create the right conditions so that all are able to succeed. Bold action and targeted policies are needed to break down the hurdles that stand in their way. Furthermore, to tackle problems in social mobility, we must address them within the context of other challenges facing the younger generation, including pay, progression, housing issues and the wider economic landscape.

We are passionate in our commitment to ensure that where you grow up and what your background is does not dictate your future. This is why we work to level the playing field for young people through work experience, inspirational talks from eminent industry leaders and our National Teen Book Club. Achieving our mission of universal work experience for all young people by 2028 will help ensure opportunity is more evenly distributed, particularly for those who do not have fair access in the first place.

The Government promises to break down barriers to opportunity. They must change the status quo so that young people from lower-income households are no longer beholden to a lottery of geographical chance as to whether they will have the opportunities they need to thrive.

We look forward to the Social Mobility Commission’s forthcoming policy framework that will build on the evidence from the report to outline their recommendations for actions to drive forward change.