"We must not patronise and paternalise." In our latest blog, Lord Blunkett writes on why empowering individuals, rather than imposing top-down solutions, is critical to creating lasting social mobility. Read the full piece on the our website👇

Blackpool has one of England's highest NEET risk rates. We’ve been on the ground listening to young people about their lived experiences. 🗣️ Next month, we publish our findings setting out an in-depth picture of personal and regional challenges. Sign up to read it first: shorturl.at/wHdoY

We welcome the PM's announcement giving Mayors a share of income tax revenue. For several years we have argued that putting more money, resources and power in the hands of local leaders is key to delivering the broad-based economic growth needed to fix Britain’s social mobility problem.

Improving social mobility requires integrated, place-based solutions. Deputy Chair Rob Wilson gave this message at a The Whitehall & Industry Group briefing on barriers to opportunity and how social mobility drives inclusive growth. How can cross-sector collaboration best improve social mobility?

Welcome news as the Government rolls out new support for technical education, skills, and apprenticeships for young people nationwide! This aligns with our long-standing call for alternative pathways. 📈

Young people need options and opportunities. We have continually called for a renewed focus on technical education and a shift away from the traditional academic-centric view of ‘success’ that has dominated previous social mobility initiatives. www.gov.uk/government/n...

How much do grandparents shape a child's future? 👵👴 UK grandkids of professionals are 2.5x more likely to land top jobs, independent of their parents' wealth. The effect is strongest when parental income is low.

Angela Rayner MP has been was welcomed into MHCLG as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. At our Social Mobility Symposium, she shared her own powerful journey, reminding us that policy statistics aren't just numbers, they represent real human lives.

The rise in NEETs has been linked to a "crisis of opportunity". To explore solutions, commissioner Rob Wilson chaired the Westminster Insight's NEETs Conference, bringing together education, healthcare, and welfare leaders to address the estimated 1m young people currently classed as NEET.

Commissioner Baroness Tina Stowell met with this year's interns in Parliament to discuss career pathways, background diversity, and how the Commission is breaking down barriers to opportunity across the UK.

If you aren't on our newsletter list, you're missing out on the latest social mobility insights and reports. 📈 Get the data before anyone else does. Sign up in seconds: https://bit.ly/4v4004P

Time is running out!⏰ The deadline for applications for the AI and Social Mobility Challenge Prize is Monday 20 July. Submit your application: www.socialtechtrust.org/ai-and-socia...

AI and Social Mobility Challenge Prize | Social Tech Trust

The AI and Social Mobility Challenge Prize is a venture support programme that backs startups using AI and emerging technologies to help young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds in the UK ac...

socialtechtrust.org

Social Mobility Commission@smcommission.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Applications are open for the AI and Social Mobility Challenge Prize for emerging tech ventures to create new solutions to support social mobility. Delivered by EY Foundation and Social Tech Trust, and us with support from @microsoft.com, HSF Kramer, EY, Fieldfisher, and LinkedIn #AIForOpportunity

Today’s expansion of the Youth Hub in Port Talbot is a welcome step in localised support for young people. To fix national problems we need to understand the communities behind the stats.

With UK NEET rates hitting 1 million the 2026 #SocialMobilitySymposium tackled the critical link between welfare, youth employment, and social mobility.

Investment in opportunity: where should it go? We asked the public which investments would improve opportunities for people to succeed.  Which would you choose? 1️⃣ Apprenticeships 2️⃣ Schools 3️⃣ Local job creation 4️⃣ Universities 📊 Show results

Our report on access to extra-curricular activities has been cited in the new Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Social Connection Framework. 'An Unequal Playing Field' sets out that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds were least likely to participate in these activities.👇

Extra-curricular activities aren't just hobbies, they can be engines for social mobility. 🚀 Research shows that participation at age 14 leads to higher marks and a lower chance of becoming NEET. Yet low-income children who could benefit most are the least likely to have access.

@oecd-ocde.bsky.social has just launched its Employment Outlook which highlights how many countries are suffering major regional disparities in their job market.

We turn data into action by working with Government and employers. Our recent impact includes shifting the debate to prioritise L1-3 apprenticeships, providing policy support for the English Devolution Bill, and empowering policymakers via our Data Explorer tool.

New data published by @educationgovuk has revealed over 32,000 “Phantom NEETs”, with thousands of teenagers at risk of missing out on support. This is why we’re calling for more prevention and early intervention for ‘at-risk’ youth by utilising regional data and identifying underlying risk factors.

Did you know - 1.01 million young people, more than 1 in 10 young people (people aged 16 to 24 years) in the UK, are currently not in education, employment, or training. 📉 Source: ONS #SocialMobility

How is the West Midlands Combined Authority using our data to help make the West Midlands a place where everyone feels included and can achieve their full potential? Traditional social mobility measures can be one-dimensional and not reflect the reality of diverse communities.

“Every young person deserves the chance, not just to just to get by, but to thrive and achieve their full potential”. Steve Rotheram (@lcrmayor.bsky.social) shares his incredible journey from bricklayer to Mayor of Liverpool City Region and why he’s passionate about social mobility.

Missed the 2026 #SocialMobilitySymposium? The complete digital archive is now live on YouTube. Catch up on every expert panel, from place-based economic solutions to breaking down barriers for economically inactive NEETs 📺 Link in comments

Former Secretary of State Lord Blunkett shares his reflections on why a unified, evidence-based approach is critical to improving social mobility, and the essential role of the Social Mobility Commission.

"Social Mobility isn’t just about university access and elite jobs - and social mobility shouldn’t mean that you have to change your social class to improve your life.” Thank you to Angela Rayner MP for her speech at our #SocialMobilitySymposium!

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us for our #SocialMobilitySymposium! It was an inspiring day with insightful debates on how to best shape the future of welfare and NEET support policies. The conversation continues. 🤝

The 2026 #SocialMobilitySymposium is live from the @thersaorg.bsky.social! We are delighted to welcome Angela Rayner MP to deliver this morning's opening keynote address, exploring the intersection of welfare systems and opportunities for NEET youth. Watch live in the comments

Applications are open for the AI and Social Mobility Challenge Prize for emerging tech ventures to create new solutions to support social mobility. Delivered by EY Foundation and Social Tech Trust, and us with support from @microsoft.com, HSF Kramer, EY, Fieldfisher, and LinkedIn #AIForOpportunity

Andy Burnham recently discussed the importance of the SMC's work in changing how leaders and policymakers approach social mobility. At our Symposium next week we'll bring together voices from different sectors to debate how to improve opportunity in UK.