Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Social Mobility

Wednesday 30 March 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government published a levelling up White Paper to address regional disparities and support those in need.
  • The Government bolstered the Social Mobility Commission by appointing new commissioners to improve public understanding.
  • The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities invested 300 million in a programme to support families in need.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Antony Higginbotham
Education Economy Employment
Context

The questioner is concerned about the government's approach to social mobility and its effectiveness in improving life outcomes for individuals based on their birth circumstances.

Question

What steps the Government are taking to improve social mobility. The Government believe that the circumstances of a person's birth should not determine life outcomes.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Government recently published their levelling up White Paper to address regional disparities across the UK and put more money into the pockets of those who need it most. We are also bolstering the Social Mobility Commission by appointing new commissioners to improve public understanding of how opportunity is created and made accessible to all.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for steps being taken was not directly addressed with concrete actions or timelines.

How: We Recently Published Our Levelling Up White Paper

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Q2 Antony Higginbotham
Women & Equalities
Context

The questioner is concerned that the focus on social mobility has been about a person's identity rather than their abilities and contributions.

Question

Can the Minister confirm that we will consign that approach to history, and instead focus on what everyday people can offer the country and ensure that they have the opportunity that they deserve?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

My hon. Friend is right: social mobility is very much about the individual. The Government are taking a new approach to equality which goes beyond the protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010 and also takes account of socioeconomic and regional disparities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for confirming a shift in focus was not directly addressed with concrete actions or timelines.

How: We Are Taking A New Approach To Equality

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Q3 Alison McGovern Lab Birkenhead
Housing Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The questioner is concerned about family finances, especially in low-income families, which are exacerbated by the cost of childcare.

Question

Social mobility is a laudable aim that everyone in the House agrees with, but this week I was shocked to see Action for Children report that nearly half of children surveyed from low-income backgrounds say that they worry about their families' finances. That kind of stress will help no child to do well at school and will help no child to succeed.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I have another role as Minister for Levelling Up Communities, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities recently invested £300 million in a flagship programme to support the families who need help the most. The hon. Lady will have heard from other Ministers in various Departments what we have been doing about the cost of living.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for details on working across Government and helping parents with childcare costs was not directly addressed.

How: I Refer Her To Their Statements

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