One week on from launching the Social Mobility Pledge
Improving our poor social mobility is this country’s biggest challenge, and our biggest opportunity. Britain will not truly succeed until it becomes a country where there is equality of opportunity for the first time. Those were the words of Justine Greening MP as she opened her Westminster Hall debate on social mobility and the economy, in Parliament last week.
Social mobility happens when people get busy. It’s about lots of people doing lots of things. It’s there in skyscrapers, on high streets and throughout business parks across the UK. People are busy growing companies and creating opportunities for others to grow themselves.
Despite that, the UK doesn’t have a great record when it comes to international social mobility standards. We’re not intrinsically a less socially mobile country, far from it. But the fact remains that talent is spread evenly while opportunity is not. That’s what last week’s launch of the Social Mobility Pledge was all about. The Pledge focusses on businesses, giving them something to aim at. It’s about levelling up Britain with business leaders and entrepreneurs, who are, after all, the opportunity makers.
One week in and dozens of businesses have signed the Pledge, representing well over a quarter of a million people. They include some of Britain’s most well-known brands, from ITV to BT and Adidas. Fintech firm True Potential is also now a Social Mobility Employer along with Aviva and Viacom, as well as many more who also signed up. The CBI and Federation of Small Businesses have thrown their considerable weight behind the Pledge.
Tweeting at the launch, KPMG said: “Becoming a founding member of @thesmpledge reinforces our strong commitment to boosting #socialmobility throughout the UK
PWC posted: Today @PwC_UK signed up to @thesmpledge launched by @JustineGreening. Business has made great strides but can do more to support those from less privileged backgrounds. No-one should be held back because of where they start out in life. Everyone deserves to aim high and dream big.
While legal giant Clifford Chance said: Delighted to support @JustineGreening on this excellent initiative and to be signatories of the pledge #socialmobilitypledge
We’re up and running and a big thank you to everyone who has signed the Pledge so far. They have made a public commitment to equality of opportunity and they deserve to be recognised.
Raising social mobility across Britain will be like a million-piece jigsaw puzzle. The first pieces are in place now and we need your help. Please sign the Social Mobility Pledge today and become a Social Mobility Employer.