Research and Statistics

Factors influencing social mobility

by Dr. Alex Nunn, Dr. Steve Johnson, Dr. Surya Monro, Dr. Tim Bickerstaffe and Sarah Kelsey

This report presents findings from a review of the literature examining the factors influencing social mobility. As the current Government approaches ten years in power, there is increasing interest in social mobility in the UK. Over that period, social and welfare policy has focused on tackling poverty and social exclusion, with an overriding emphasis on work as the most effective route out of poverty. Addressing these issues has been presented not just as a matter of social justice but also as a key element of policies to promote economic competitiveness in an increasingly globalised world economy. However, several recent studies have suggested that social mobility may have stalled or even declined over recent decades. These findings have promoted a renewed interest in trends in social mobility in Britain.

As a result of this increasing interest, the Department for Work and Pensions commissioned a team of researchers from the Policy Research Institute at Leeds Metropolitan University to undertake research to highlight the qualitative explanations for apparent trends in social mobility. This document summarises the results of a review of the literature:

  • primarily UK-focused but incorporating key international studies;
  • concentrating on a range of factors that have been identified by researchers, policy-makers, interest groups and others as facilitating or inhibiting social mobility.

    July 2007 112 pages 297x210mm

    ISBN 978 1 84712 237 7

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