County APPG - Social Mobility in Counties

This report from the County All-Party Parliamentary Group and the County Councils Network (CCN) examines social mobility in England’s county areas and finds that counties face entrenched disadvantages compared with major cities and London.

It finds that areas within counties account for a large share of England’s social mobility “cold spots”, particularly in coastal, rural and former industrial communities, challenging assumptions that counties are uniformly prosperous.  

While county economies are significant contributors to national growth, residents often experience weaker access to opportunity due to distance, poor connectivity, limited post‑16 pathways and a shortage of higher‑value local jobs.

The report shows that CCN members play a critical role across the social mobility life cycle, from early years and education to transport, skills and employment. However, their capacity to act is constrained by funding reductions, short‑term programmes and a lack of devolved powers relative to city regions. Infrastructure gaps—especially in transport and digital connectivity—limit access to education, training and work, particularly for young people.

The report concludes that tackling social mobility in counties requires stronger foundations: fairer funding, long‑term investment, improved infrastructure, clearer national leadership and greater devolution.

Recommendations to government include:  

• Reform funding to reflect rural costs and hidden deprivation in counties.
  
• Extend the duration of funding programmes focused on social mobility.
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• Improve transport options for young people, including Total Transport models.
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• Accelerate superfast broadband rollout in county and rural areas.
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• Devolve skills, employment and training powers and budgets to counties.
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• Improve links between schools, colleges, universities and county authorities.