A new report from the Social Mobility Commission showcases how the Liverpool City Region is tackling social mobility challenges through locally-led initiatives that improve access to education, jobs and community engagement.
The report, “Regional Insights: Creating fairer chances across the regions”, draws on a year of roundtables with local leaders, project visits and conversations with communities across the UK. It highlights Liverpool’s place-based approach, including education pathways aligned with local jobs and upgraded transport links connecting towns to city hubs.
With over 1 million young people in the UK now NEET (not in education, employment or training) and 639,000 recent graduates claiming benefits, the report stresses the importance of local knowledge and leadership in addressing Britain’s social mobility crisis.
Four key themes emerged from discussions:
- Giving young people workplace experience before leaving school
- Improving transport links to jobs and training
- Supporting those in long-term economic inactivity
- Fostering local pride and belonging to inspire ambition
In Liverpool, programmes like Cradle to Career (C2C) and the Civic Data Co-operative are helping residents shape decisions and policies, particularly in health and care. These initiatives aim to boost skills, tackle digital exclusion and improve adult literacy, enabling more people to access employment.
Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said:
“For too long, opportunity has depended on your postcode, and that has to change. Here in the Liverpool City Region, we’re trying to show what practical, locally-driven change looks like: freezing bus fares to keep travel affordable, supporting those struggling most through Households into Work, and giving care leavers the dignity of free travel as they take their first steps into adulthood.
“These are simple interventions, but they can transform someone’s life chances. This report makes clear that if we want lasting progress on social mobility, then we have to keep putting power and trust in the hands of local communities.”
The report also calls for better collaboration between FE colleges and employers, high-quality careers advice, and expanded work experience opportunities tailored to local economies. It urges a shift away from policies focused solely on elite jobs, promoting a place-based strategy that delivers progress for more people in more places.
Image credit: iStock
