Politics
UK ministers review future of Social Mobility Commission
The Cabinet Office is evaluating options for the watchdog, ranging from expanding its powers to abolishing it entirely.
The short version
- UK ministers are reviewing the Social Mobility Commission (SMC) as part of a wider Cabinet Office examination of arm's-length public bodies.
- Potential outcomes for the SMC range from granting it additional regulatory powers to disbanding it outright and absorbing its duties into central government.
- Disbanding the commission would require new legislation, and any final decision is expected to be announced during the current parliamentary term.
Key facts
- The Social Mobility Commission's sole statutory responsibility is to produce an annual state of the nation report; it lacks powers to set government policy or hold public bodies accountable.[The Guardian]
- Equalities minister Bridget Phillipson and other officials reportedly believe that social mobility initiatives should be a core government function rather than being outsourced to external bodies.[The Guardian]
- The SMC is currently led by chair Alun Francis, alongside two deputy chairs, four commissioners, and a Cabinet Office secretariat of about 20 civil servants.[The Guardian]
- The body was originally established as the Child Poverty Commission in 2010 before being renamed and restructured under subsequent coalition and Conservative administrations.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- It remains uncertain whether ministers will opt to reform and strengthen the commission or proceed with full abolition.[The Guardian]
Sources
- Ministers consider closing social mobility watchdog as part of planned shake-upThe Guardian - World