Former industrial and mining communities across Britain that went through de industrialisation are facing “entrenched disadvantage” stretching back some 50 years according to a report out this morning but areas such as Manchester are seen as beacons of hope
The report by the Social Mobility Commission found that The UK has similar levels of absolute occupational mobility to other major western European countries, but faces some worrying trends with decreasing upward income mobility and worsening housing mobility. Poor growth in real wages and increasing house prices are probably responsible for much of this
However within the UK, extreme regional differences persist.
Areas that once thrived through industries such as mining and manufacturing – particularly in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands, Wales and Scotland – continue to experience significant disadvantage, showing little improvement since the early 2000s.
It is likely that these areas are still suffering the after-effects of the de‑industrialisation of the 1980s. Meanwhile, prosperous areas in London and surrounding regions consistently provide better conditions for social mobility. Rural areas face distinct challenges, including limited access to educational institutions and skilled jobs, which further deepens existing inequalities.
Meanwhile Intermediate outcomes, indicators that predict future mobility potential, confirm and reinforce these regional differences. The educational achievement gap, which had narrowed at age 11 and 16 years, widened during the COVID-19 pandemic and has shown little sign of closing.
Additionally, disadvantaged students increasingly fall behind in higher education (HE) attainment. Despite improved employment opportunities for young people overall, significant socio-economic gaps remain in accessing professional and managerial roles.
Alun Francis, chairman of the SMC, said: “It is part of the cycle of innovation and economic development that opportunities move around. But in our country they have become over-concentrated in specific places.
“Far too many live and grow up in communities where opportunity has become very limited and outcomes are poor.
“We are seeing signs of positive change, with cities like Bristol, Edinburgh and Manchester showing what is possible, but the pace of change needs to be quicker and the scale much bigger.
