At the forefront: Chloe encourages MPs to take active role in Social Mobility effort

Norwich MP Chloe Smith’s campaign on social mobility took on a new challenge this week. Alongside her work locally, Chloe is hosting an important cross-party roundtable in Parliament to examine practical methods by which MPs can be actively working to boost social mobility in their own constituencies.

 

Commenting on the meeting, Chloe said:

 

“Members of Parliament have a unique opportunity to bring together employers, schools, charities and local authorities in their constituencies in pursuit of a common goal. I’ve been doing this in Norwich via the Norwich for Jobs project, which has already succeeded in halving youth unemployment in our city, as well as with similar campaigns on childcare and life chances.

 

“I’m holding this meeting because I want to hear from a wide range of MPs and the contexts and challenges they face. The recently published social mobility index challenged the conventional wisdom of north versus south and urban versus rural. Instead it identified some of England’s more affluent areas as social mobility coldspots. Ensuring that all children can fulfil their potential must be a priority for MPs of all parties. I look forward to sharing best practice and applying the lessons of other success stories to our social mobility campaign in Norwich.”

 

Since her election, Chloe’s campaigns have demonstrated just what can be achieved by an MP. Her latest project on social mobility, and the Norwich for Jobs project it builds on, are tipped to become well-regarded examples in Westminster of how to bring real change locally. In the past weeks, Chloe has had a number of meetings with the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, as well as with No10, to discuss her work in Norwich in relation to the Government’s flagship life chances strategy.