Transparency data

Social Mobility Commission Quarterly Report: October - December 2019

Updated 3 December 2021

Summary

In this quarter we maintained momentum on our research agenda, increased our efforts on advocacy and put renewed effort into resourcing.

Governance

The Commission held two board meetings and the Secretariat provided two telebriefing sessions for Commissioners.

Resourcing

Following the publication of our strategy in October, the Secretariat reviewed the skills and experience gaps within the team. In absence of an ability to recruit directly (due to departmental restrictions) we then commenced a process to bring on board a number of short-term staff. These temporary staff were selected to support a number of our developing areas of work including improvements to our communications capacity, enlarging our employers programme, and supporting our research programme.

Research agenda

Forthcoming research publications

This was a busy period for undertaking midpoint reviews of over 10 research projects. Our technical panels involved academics, Commissioners and analysts from other government departments. The reviews helped identify projects that would benefit from contract extensions. It was also agreed that policy workshops would be held in the new year to co-develop recommendations.

For our new employers’ programme, the Secretariat focused on the development of a toolkit that provides guidance and practical advice for employers to attract and retain talented people from poorer backgrounds.

New research projects

The Commission undertook procurement of three research projects: an intergenerational income mobility analysis at local authority-level; establishing a 30-year framework for measuring social mobility; and finally assessing barriers to progression within a large employer by socio-economic background.

Advocacy

Chair’s engagements

Dame Martina Milburn and her Commissioners hosted an inaugural event for Ambassador organisations at Hearst Magazines on 2 October. She gave a presentation to partners of the law firm, DLA Piper, about the work of the Commission on 10 October.

She met with Michelle Donellan, DfE’s Minister for Children on 28 October. On the same date, she met with James Kempton who is the Chair of the Oldham opportunity area. In December, she wrote to the Prime Minister congratulating him on his election victory and highlighted areas of mutual interest on social mobility.

Commissioner engagements

A list of the Commissioners’ engagements is included at Annex A.

Secretariat activity

Speeches were given by members of the secretariat at two events:

• Sasha Morgan spoke at Tackling Child Poverty: The Way Forward conference in London in November;
• Ali Jaffer spoke at the National Pupil Premium Conference in London in December

Media and campaigning

Dame Martina was a guest of the Social Mobility Podcast on 7 October where she discussed the importance of social mobility and the Commission’s vision for the UK.

Commissioner Farrah Storr gave a masterclass in journalism to students of Blackpool and The Flyde College as part of a wider fact-finding visit in the North West. Alongside this, Farrah gave an opportunity to 3 students to have a two-day work experience placement at Elle magazine.

The Commission visited Oldham as part of their regional fact-finding in the North West. This included a visit to Mahdlo Youth Centre and Oldham College. These visits allowed Commissioners to meet with senior leadership teams, local councillors and Oldham council officials to discuss barriers to the labour market and employment for young people. Dame Martina was interviewed by ITV News on what should be done on ensuring young people in the North West fulfil their true potential.

Our Further Education (FE) campaign, to increase resources and introduce a student premium for disadvantaged pupils, continued at pace. The first anniversary of the new Commissioners was 11 December. In the lead up to this, we ran a social media campaign, which was affected by purdah.

Social Media Highlights

• Over 10% increase in Twitter followers
• 522 retweets / shares on social media
• 602 likes on social media
• Over 50 mentions on Twitter

Annex A: Commissioners’ engagements

Jody Walker
2 days on mid-project reviews
27 November	Attended Student Social Mobility Awards
13 December	Employers working group meeting
Alastair Da Costa
2 days on mid-project reviews
Leading on FE Campaign - a convening session
Farrah Storr
2 days on mid-project reviews
Interview with The Times about social mobility in media
Wrote an op-ed for The Independent
Edited editors letter dedicated to social mobility
Arranged fully paid-for scholarships for four individuals
Judge on George Orwell prize for reporting on social evils
Spoke at University of East London about careers break
Became mentor for Media Trust
28 October	1 day media talk at Blackpool College
27 November	Attended Student Social Mobility Awards
Harvey Matthewson
2 days on mid-project reviews
Jessica Oghenegweke
2 days on mid-project reviews
Developing an Instagram approach for the Commission
01 January - 08 December	Worked with Apprentice Nation partnering with BT on delivering workshops for 16 - 25’s in Manchester and Oldham who are interested in alternative educational routes
December	Social Action projects with Apprentice Nation to help improve communities in Manchester and Oldham
September - November	Worked on Bloomberg Broadcast Programme at Roundhouse for NEET Young People
27 November	Attended Student Social Mobility Awards
Liz Williams
2 days on mid-project reviews
Meeting with DCMS
Run BT’s work ready youth (18-24) employability programme (c.850 young people)
10 October	UK Digital Skills Day
Pippa Dunn
2 days on mid-project reviews
Saeed Atcha
2 days on mid-project reviews
0.5 day speaking at Civil Service Summer Diversity Internship Programme close
0.5 day speaking at Academy CEO conference
0.5 day speaking at UpReach Graduation Event
0.5 day speaking for Mayor Andy Burnham at launch of local Care Leaver Covenant
10 October	0.5 day speaking at Children’s University Conference
24 October	0.5 day University of Bolton TEDx Speech
27 November	Attended as Judge at Student Social Mobility Awards
5 December	0.5 day speaking at Santander Social Mobility Network launch
Sam Friedman
2 days on mid-project reviews
Meeting Boris Johnson SPAD at No.10
Gave several keynote lectures, nationally and internationally, and research seminars which refers to the Commission’s work to the research community
Sammy Wright
2 days on mid-project reviews
25 October	Visit Blackpool Opportunity Area Primary School
17 November	Ongoing project with Oxford Uni and Opportunity North East about outreach for schools in the North East; SSAT policy dinner
27 November Meeting with Paul Hanson from North Tyneside council on North of Tyne Metro Mayors educational strategy
09 December	Visit to North Yorkshire Coast Opportunity Area with Lee Elliot Major
18 December	Meeting with Office for Students
Sandra Wallace
2 days on mid-project reviews
Supporting cross party MPs including Esther McVey and Justine Greening (Social Mobility Pledge)
Supporting Aston University on Social Mobility initiatives
Steven Cooper
2 days on mid-project reviews
Interviews with the Times and the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment
UK Social Mobility Awards Judging Panel
Building social mobility as a strand of a new Royal Charity