As a picture begins to emerge of the medium and long-term implications of the pandemic, and the expected global recession, attention is now turning to the socio-economic implications of the pandemic too.

Before COVID-19, Britain was already a nation of inequality of opportunity. Research by the Social Mobility Pledge showed that where a person is born dictates where they end up in life – largely because of the vast opportunity gap.  

I have been extremely fortunate that my choices in life delivered me to where I am and I have travelled from the mining village of Ferryhill to be a Member of Parliament. I explain below a little of the route but the important thing is the use of the opportunity I have been given.

Through my involvement with the Social Mobility Pledge since Shoosmiths became signatories in 2018 (and now the C-19 Pledge), and as a member of the BITC West Midlands Advisory Board, I have become aware of many nuances to successful engagement with communities across the UK.

Since the Prime Minister’s election victory in December, Boris Johnson has promised to “level up” the UK and narrow the regional inequalities that exist throughout the country.

People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often face multiple barriers to a career in law. This contributes to a lack of genuine socioeconomic diversity in the legal profession. The causes of these barriers are complex. The solutions require collaboration between business, government, the education sector and our communities.

From the Labour leadership race to the Conservatives new northern MPs looking to cement their positions, the race is now on politically to take a lead on levelling up opportunity across the UK.

One of the most pressing issues facing the next generation is poor levels of social mobility. In this blog I want to highlight the challenges we face in boosting social mobility across the country and some potential solutions.

Social mobility, to me, isn’t just an empty phrase, it’s something that has defined my life.

I grew up in Wester Hailes, just south-west of Edinburgh. It's an area that has proud roots in industry, and of course in football - die hard supporters of our beloved Hearts.

We live in a divided country.

But not the type of division that you’re thinking about - the one that seems to be continuously splashed across the headlines, hogging political discourse and dragging on all too long. In fact, I won’t even mention the B-word!