Why our work is necessary

The link between background and educational and employment outcomes is stronger in the United Kingdom than in other developed countries. It divides our society and hinders our creative and economic productivity.

Social mobility is at its worst in more than 50 years.

• We see decreasing upward income mobility and worsening housing mobility (Social Mobility Commission (SMC), State of the Nation, 2025).

• There are strong intergenerational links in education: a child’s education level heavily depends on their parents’ background (SMC, State of the Nation, 2025).

• Individuals from lower working-class backgrounds are more likely to be ‘Not in Education, Employment, or Training’ (NEET) compared with those from higher professional backgrounds (SMC, State of the Nation, 2025).

• In the largest study of its kind globally, our own research for Progress Together (2025) revealed that in financial services men from higher socio-economic backgrounds are 3.4 times more likely to reach senior roles than women from lower socio-economic backgrounds. 

This is hurting our economy, organisations and individual livelihoods. See the graphics below for wider context on why our work is necessary.

Whether you’re an employer, a university or a policymaker, we can work with you to help to strengthen outcomes for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Our vision is an education system and a labour market where background is no barrier - and everyone, wherever they started in life, has the chance to realise their potential.