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New research from Co-op shows that up to 7.4 million people in Britain – comparable to the populations of Scotland and Northern Ireland combined – are missing out on career or education opportunities because of their socio-economic background.
The research shows that 70% of people from lower socio-economic backgrounds face barriers that impact their access to opportunities, with younger generations particularly affected.
The research shows that more than a quarter (27%) of respondents feel pressured to hide or downplay their background during job interviews or at work, illustrating the social stigma that persists around socio-economic status . Among 16-34 year olds this number rises to 82%, with 39% admitting to having hidden their background. This trend coincides with findings from the latest Social Mobility Commission report, which shows that the index of disadvantage at age 16 is the highest since 2011-2012.
The Co-op and Demos research underlines the economic impact of tackling social mobility, estimating that improving access to opportunities could add £200 billion to UK GDP over the next decade. Co-op calls on government and business to take decisive action to remove barriers to social mobility.
Main barriers to social mobility
Co-op’s research identified the key barriers that individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds face when trying to progress:
1. Lack of financial support for further education (21%)
2. Low self-confidence or sense of belonging in certain work environments (19%)
3. Cost of moving for better opportunities (17%)
4. Inaccessible unpaid internships or work experience (14%)
5. Growing up in regions with fewer opportunities (13%)
6. Limited access to career advice or mentorship (10%)
7. Limited professional networks or contacts (9%)
8. Costs of appropriate job interviews/work clothing (9%)
9. Lack of recognizable experiences with colleagues (6%)
10. Recruitment biases based on socio-economic background (6%)
Ishitha Islam, a 21-year-old from London, spoke about the challenges of entering the workforce as a first-generation professional. “I still feel like I don’t belong in prestigious organizations because there is no one like me reflected in the higher ranks,” she said. “Companies must realize that social mobility benefits everyone and brings creative ideas and broader representation.”
Claire Costello, Co-op’s Chief People and Inclusion Officer, called the findings a wake-up call, saying: “Millions are being held back from reaching their potential because of their backgrounds. Promoting social mobility is not only morally right, but also an economic opportunity.”
As part of its ‘Backgrounds foreground’ campaign, Co-op is urging the Government to accelerate plans to make socio-economic background a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, bringing protection against discrimination the workplace and in education is guaranteed.
The research builds on the Social Mobility Commission’s State of the Nation Report 2024, which shows that young people with a higher professional background are more than twice as likely to obtain a degree and more than four times as likely to a high-level professional role compared to young people with a higher professional background. their lower working class colleagues.
As Britain faces growing social mobility gaps, Co-op’s campaign highlights the urgent need for policy changes and a concerted effort from businesses to create an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of background, has access to equal opportunities.