Letter from Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for Education, to Dame Martina Milburn
Published 5 May 2020
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Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP
Secretary of State
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
Westminster
London
SW1P 3BT
tel: 0370 000 2288
www.education.gov,uk/help/contactus
Dame Martina Milburn
Social Mobility Commission
Sanctuary Buildings
20 Great Smith Street
London
SW1P3BT
5 May 2020
Dear Dame Milburn,
Thank you for sending me a copy of your letter to the Prime Minister, resigning as chair of the Social Mobility Commission. You have brought strong and effective leadership to the Commission during the two years since your appointment; I want to offer my personal thanks for that. Whilst I understand entirely the importance of devoting your attention and time to duties elsewhere — and the considerable social value brought by your work at the Princes Trust — your departure from the Commission is a loss.
I want to congratulate you on your achievements as Chair of the Commission. By recruiting a strong set of diverse commissioners, you brought new perspectives to increasing social mobility that will continue to drive the work of the Commission going forwards.
The programme of research that you have commissioned has allowed us to understand better what drives social mobility and we will continue to see the benefits of this programme over the coming months.
Under your leadership, we have also seen the Commission undertake greater advocacy work across the country. I was impressed to hear that your latest business advocacy event reached 250 employers.
I note the proposals you have set out for the role of your successor and have asked my ministers to consider them so that the Commission, and the Department, are in the strongest possible position to level up opportunity going forward.
Thank you once again for the energy and focus you have brought to tackling unacceptable obstacles to social mobility that remain in the United Kingdom. I look forward to hearing of the progress you will undoubtedly continue to make in your role at the Princes Trust.
Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP
Secretary of State for Education