Former industrial communities across Britain face 'entrenched disadvantages' stretching back decades, according to the latest social mobility research from the Social Mobility Commission. The report highlights rising numbers of young people not in work, education or training (Neets), with one in seven 16- to 24-year-olds falling into this category between 2022 and 2024.
The state of the nation report points to 'extreme regional differences', citing poorer childhood conditions, fewer job opportunities, less innovation and lack of growth in the hardest-hit areas. Yorkshire, the north-east, the Midlands, Wales and Scotland are still living with the impacts of deindustrialisation, described as 'half a century of economic disadvantage and decline'.
However, the report also identifies 'beacons of hope', including Aberdeen, Brighton, Bristol, Cheshire West and Chester, Edinburgh, Oxfordshire, Reading, West Berkshire and Manchester, where conditions for future innovation and growth are favourable. Alun Francis, the commission's chair, said economic opportunities have become 'over-concentrated' in specific places, leaving many post-industrial and seaside towns behind.
The proportion of young people in professional jobs has risen to 48.2% of 25- to 29-year-olds in 2022-24, up from 36.1% in 2014-16. However, the gap between those from privileged backgrounds and working-class families accessing these roles has widened. Women from less well-off backgrounds still find it harder to secure higher-paid jobs.
International comparisons show the UK sits alongside France and Japan in giving young people a strong chance to exceed their parents' educational attainment. Job mobility rates are similar to Germany and Sweden. The report also found that class identity is 'sticky', with over three-quarters of people identifying as the same class as their parents.
The research, based on evidence presented to parliament, revealed that respondents valued work-life balance, job security and meaningful work over high income or professional status. Younger people were more likely to define success as having a highly paid job, with over half of 25- to 34-year-olds citing this, compared with 28% of those over 65.
