A message from Justine Greening MP
It is 18 months since I launched the Social Mobility Pledge in Westminster. So much has changed in that time but the progress we have made, with your support, stands out above all else.
Through the Pledge, together we have built a coalition of over 350 forward-thinking organisations employing almost three million people in the UK, all going above and beyond to make a positive difference in their communities. We all recognise that social mobility and equality of opportunity is good for business and good for Britain.
Over the last year and a half, I have criss-crossed the country speaking to business leaders, entrepreneurs and employees to hear why social mobility matters to them. One thing is crystal clear. The commitments that you have made by signing the Pledge – working with local schools, offering apprenticeships and adopting fair recruitment practices – are making Britain a fairer place and importantly, providing opportunities to more people. You are showing that business is a force for change and a force for good when it gets mobilised.
It’s inspiring to work with so many great organisations, so much so, that I want to put more of my time into the Social Mobility Pledge campaign and work. I’m proud of what we are doing and I’ve felt increasingly that we are just at the start of a journey on showing what businesses and organisations can achieve working together. Social mobility has defined my life and I’m totally committed to making a difference for a new generation of young people wanting opportunity just as I did many years ago. I’ve loved being an MP, but it’s social mobility that is my life passion. That’s why, earlier this month, I decided that I would stand down as MP for Putney at the next general election and focus more of my time and effort, with your help, into turbocharging the Social Mobility Pledge.
Parliament may be gridlocked on Brexit, but I plan to continue to play a full role in public life through the Social Mobility Pledge, making the case for equality of opportunity in Westminster and beyond, and shining a spotlight on some of the trailblazing work being done by Pledge partners. Through the insight reports that I have worked on with a number of our Pledge partners, I have seen what works and how ideas can be shared. The more we can share best practice the bigger the impact we can collectively make to our country. Please get in touch and tell us your organisation’s social mobility story.
I’m working on plans as to how we can expand the reach and the impact of the Social Mobility Pledge. In the meantime, I want to thank everyone who has signed the Social Mobility Pledge and ask for your help in encouraging others to do so.
Finally, if you can spare a couple of minutes, please complete the short survey here, which will give us a clearer idea of how Pledge organisations are working on the ground.
And if you've got ideas on how you'd like to see the Social Mobility Pledge scale up, please get in touch.