Chloe SmithMP for Norwich North
Chloe SmithChloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, will deliver a speech in Parliament today responding to the recent Social Mobility Index which shows the poorest children in Norwich to have some of the worst life chances in the country.
The Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission’s analysis uses data about educational attainment from the early years through to further education and higher education and potential NEETs; and adult prospects including housing, jobs and pay. The Norwich City Council area is the second worst local authority area in England.
In simple terms, the report compares the chances for children from poorer backgrounds doing well at school; finding a good job; and having a decent standard of living.
Chloe comments:
“I’m extremely concerned for the poorest children in the Norwich City Council area. Whilst there is no single simple answer, it is crucial that we start to look more closely at what this report tells us and work on all the issues together. This is not about doing Norwich down, it’s about looking at what needs to be done for the poorest children.”
Chloe is also convening a roundtable discussion on the issue in April, in Norwich. In her speech today she rejects “petty party politics” and calls for working together.
Chloe also refers to her own childhood and chances in Norfolk, and to a personal turning point of getting to know her own then MP, Gillian Shephard, now in the Lord and deputy chair of the Commission in question.
Today, she will issue a call for Norwich businesspeople to step up even further, and work with all schools to provide a network and an opportunity for inspiration, focused on the poorest children who need it the most.
She will say in her speech that:
“Breaking a social cage is not only about welfare. It’s not only about funding formulas. It’s about ambition and leadership.
“In Parliament and local authorities, we’ve got to show ambition and lead the hard work that is needed to break the cage.
“We must acknowledge the challenges of a city like Norwich alongside what makes it great – so it can be great for the poorest who grow up there.
“This is our opportunity to marshal an even more ambitious contribution from the business community and many others who can be role models and inspiring mentors to the poorest children in Norwich.”
Caroline Williams, chief executive of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, commented:
“Every young person should feel positive about their future and currently this is not the case. Norfolk Chamber is working with Norfolk’s education and business leaders to find new ways to inform our young people about their opportunities. As businesses we are quietly confident about the future and it is our role to inspire the next generation which in turn, we believe, will impact positively on their grades and ultimately the local economy.”