Chloe SmithMP for Norwich North
Chloe SmithChloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, will chair a roundtable in Norwich to respond to the 2016 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.
The roundtable will include a keynote speech from Baroness Shephard of Northwold, deputy chair of the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission.
Attendees will include: fellow Norfolk MPs; the Bishop of Norwich; Baroness Stedman-Scott OBE, member of the House of Lords Social Mobility Committee; Julia Nix, district manager of Jobcentre Plus; and a number of city head teachers.
Senior representatives from Norfolk County Council, New Anglia LEP and Norfolk Chamber of Commerce will present on progress made on educational attainment and opportunities for adults. The Chief Executive of national youth leadership project UpRising will provide a short case study.
Chloe comments ahead of the meeting:
“I’m extremely concerned for the poorest children in the Norwich City Council area. Whilst there is no single simple answer, I’ve convened this meeting to look more closely at what this report tells us and work on all the issues together. This is about agreeing action for the poorest children in a way that can be measured, and then getting on with it – that’s the only way to make a difference.”
She calls 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:
“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.”