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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Find out more about the work featured in these debate 🎻How extra-curricular activities can boost social mobility - shorturl.at/NW8DP 🧱The importance of building strong academic foundations - shorturl.at/8goSC ⛱️The challenges faced by Britain’s coastal communities - shorturl.at/giK6x

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

From Neets to Numeracy and access to music to the plight of Britain’s coastal communities, our work has been cited in a number of parliamentary debates over the past few months.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

How does intersectionality affect social mobility? Dep Chair @ReshamKotecha tackled this question at a @HSBC panel on supporting progression for women from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Discussion included the practical steps organisations can take to widen opportunity.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

“I had to uproot my life and move away from my family. That shouldn't be the price of ambition.” Samuel tells us how growing up in a small village in South Wales meant his career goals were out of reach, unless he moved. Read his story here: bit.ly/4zkvqoU

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Today our Chair Alun Francis discussed the complexities of supporting young people reach their full potential at the Raise Up Summit in Liverpool, He said "there are challenges for all young people but the challenges they face are not the same'.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

National Numeracy has released a new report marking 5 years of the National Numeracy Leadership Council! 🎉 Core skills like numeracy directly impact life chances from childhood into adulthood.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

However, expanding major projects like the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone & Multiversity are opening up routes to long-term careers in tech & engineering. More projects like these are needed across the UK.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

In Blackpool, we spoke to young people with qualifications and experience needed to progress in careers they were interested in. They told us that local opportunities often did not match their long-term career aspirations, affecting their ability to progress into meaningful work.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Motivated young people are earning technical qualifications, only to find no jobs that match these skills in their local area. If we want young people to thrive and not ‘leave to achieve’, regional growth and opportunities have to keep up. 🧵

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The journey to becoming NEET often starts well before 16. Failing to achieve any GCSE qualifications is a strong predictor. The growing focus on vocational routes is to be applauded, but we mustn't lose sight of these foundational qualifications.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Find out more: State of the Nation - bit.ly/4ahuqsq Youth employment opportunities by area - ons.gov.uk/employmentan... Regional Insights: Creating fairer chances across the regions - bit.ly/4xTl9Qe

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‘Extreme regional disparities’ a leading cause of entrenched inequality in the UK, annual report states – The Social Mobility Commission

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Many of these areas consistently rank among the least favourable areas for youth employment opportunities. To solve regional youth unemployment, we need to move away from "one-size-fits-all" national strategies and instead champion localised, employer-led solutions

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

In last year’s State of the Nation report we set out how disadvantage is heavily concentrated in former mining and industrial areas in the North East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands, Wales, and Scotland.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

New @ONS Census data highlights the sharp regional divides for young people aged 16-24 who are #NEET: Highest: Blackpool (22.2% males, 20.4% females) Lowest: Bath & NE Somerset (6.1% males), York (4.6% females) This is part of a pattern of entrenched regional disadvantage 🧵

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

“You just show up...you just have to apply for a certain amount” For many young people classed as NEET traditional job support can feel like a frustrating tick-box culture. Is more tailored support the answer?

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

“No matter how hard it is... you’ve always got to get back up.” Behind the statistics of nearly 1m young people classed as NEET are real stories of resilience. We spoke to Madi and Riyaadh from Blackpool to understand their journeys. Look beyond the numbers: bit.ly/4h3geor

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Chair, Alun Francis, highlights, Blackpool is a town rich in opportunity and economic diversity, yet it faces distinct challenges with high rates of youth disengagement. Tackling youth inactivity requires understanding local realities, strengths, and specific barriers.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

There are no quick fixes. However we’re calling on national and local government to look deeper into the complex realities keeping young people out of work, and act early to bridge the support gap. Explore our full report and policy recommendations: bit.ly/4h3geor

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Understanding the experiences of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) in Blackpool – The Social Mobility Commission

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Mainstream support can feel frustratingly inadequate.. Young people told us they felt let down by rigid, one-size-fits-all systems. What actually works is empathetic, practical, and personalised guidance.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

What drives young people to become NEET? It’s rarely a single factor, but a compounding mix including early socio-economic disadvantage, early school experiences, unsupported physical and mental health needs, and a restrictive local job market.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Nearly 1m young people in the UK are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET). To look beyond the stats, we went to Blackpool, to speak directly with young people with lived experience.

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Reposted by Social Mobility Commission

Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined for our event this morning - Launching opportunity: how first jobs shape long-term success Panel - @danihpayne.bsky.social, Phillippa O’Connor (@pwc-uk.bsky.social), Sarah Atkinson (Social Mobility Foundation) & Baroness Stowell (@smcommission.bsky.social)

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Read our Regional Insights report to learn more about how place-based approaches are helping to improve social mobility outcomes: bit.ly/4xTl9Qe

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Innovation, investment and inclusion: a framework for regional renewal – The Social Mobility Commission

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Talent is spread evenly, opportunity isn't. The success of #MBacc shows what’s possible when government & business work together to shape education around the needs of the local economy. Applying this nationwide can help spread opportunity to the places where it's needed most.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

🚨 Are top universities doing enough to recruit students from lower socio-economic backgrounds? We looked at student intake vs those who met the academic requirements. 📉 Over half of English Russell Group unis sit in the bottom 25% of our rankings. See the full breakdown 👇

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

"Success should not mean leaving the place you grew up in order to make something of yourself. It should mean that the place you grew up in is capable of making something of you." Deputy Chair Resham Kotecha on tackling regional inequality at the Westminster Employment Forum.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Lots of mentions of the Social Mobility Commission in the House of Lords Social Mobility Policy Committee Report debate. The debate covered economic growth and social mobility, NEETs, and the risk that the “the truly disadvantaged” are getting left further behind.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

🔗 Join our mailing list to stay updated: sq6udhvq.fwfmsites.com You can read more about our upcoming report here: bit.ly/4xdgmIb #SocialMobility #Blackpool #NEET

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Young people not in education, employment, or training face unique challenges. Next week we will publish in-depth research into the daily lives and experiences of these young people in Blackpool, setting out the case for targeted support based on individual needs and place-based approaches.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Finally, place matters. A place-based approach ensures qualifications meet local economic needs, while regions actively share best practices on what works well.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Success relies on collaboration across the entire ecosystem: • Balancing school & college expertise • Strategic authority leadership • Active employer brokerage

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

A strong technical route must stay grounded in the fundamentals: A strong technical route must stay grounded in the fundamentals: • English & Maths must remain a high priority • Skills are built on strong core foundations

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Key takeaway: Vocational & Technical Qualifications must never be treated as a second-class option. They must offer high-value choices developed with students and parents, never imposed on them.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Our Chair, Alun Francis, recently gave evidence to the Commons Education Committee inquiry on the Schools White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving. He highlighted the importance of young people being empowered to make choices, and seeing how their learning leads to viable careers

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Our new Social Mobility Coefficient measures a university’s intake against the wider population of qualified students. For the first time, our data focuses on the specific barriers keeping academically qualified students out.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

AI can widen opportunity, if young people can access & shape it. Our Deputy Chair Resham Kotecha joined an expert panel shortlisting ventures for the AI & Social Mobility Challenge Prize with EY Foundation & Social Tech Trust hosted by LinkedIn. Congratulations to all selected!

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Our Data Explorer tool is growing. Our latest update adds social mobility data for 94 universities in England, allowing students, parents, universities and policy makers to explore detailed benchmarks on access and social mobility.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Almost 1 in 3 students going to uni are planning to live at home due to living costs, meaning where young people live increasingly shapes where they study. With students from lower socio-economic backgrounds most likely to be affected, our report "Who Gets In” points to how universities can adapt.

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Can geography explain low university socio-economic diversity? Our Social Mobility Coefficient reveals that many major unis are missing out on qualified students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, even when their location is taken into account. Find out more 👇

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Social Mobility Commission @smcommission.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Students from the most advantaged backgrounds are almost three times more likely to start university than their least advantaged peers. Our new report, 'Who gets in?', introduces a diagnostic tool for English universities to see where the barriers to access are: bit.ly/4qpUEio

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