Response to Social Mobility Commission report

Responding to the latest report from the Social Mobility Commission, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, West Yorkshire Combined Authority chair, said:

�The Commission�s finding that the North is underfunded by �6bn a year compared to London is a reminder of the obstacles we continue to face as we strive to play our full part in the Northern Powerhouse and efforts to rebalance the UK economy.

�I welcome the recommendation that the Government invests in greater collaboration between business and education. Through the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and our significant investment in college facilities we are already working to ensure skills provision meets the needs of local businesses and are seeking the funding and freedoms we need to do more of this critical work.�

Cllr Judith Blake, Leeds City Council leader and Combined Authority member, said:

�We are developing an Inclusive Industrial Strategy to ensure that as we work to accelerate economic growth across our region the benefits are shared by all parts of our communities.

�As the Commission�s report shows, some of our districts are among those facing the biggest social mobility challenges and while we are working hard to give people the skills they need to access more opportunities, it will require sustained Government support to overcome these longstanding problems.�

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