Building consensus to deliver social impact: how a new partnership between government and business will drive transformative change

An ambitious campaign to embed positive social impact in every corner of the country was the focus of a reception in Parliament earlier this week, hosted by the Purpose Coalition in partnership with Lumo and Hull Trains, and attended by leading employers and MPs from across the country.  

Catherine Atkinson, Member of Parliament for Derby North

The event offered new MPs and ministers the chance to meet some of those organisations that are leading the way in delivering real change for their colleagues, customers and the communities they serve. It also saw the launch of a new report, Lowering Barriers to Opportunity: Current Innovations for a Better Britain, which presents the case for change and highlights the range of work they are already engaged in to drive equality of opportunity in some of the most deprived areas of the country. 

Lumo and Hull Trains are open access train operators - committed to breaking down barriers and offering passengers a better deal on their railway journeys. Lumo was launched in 2021 on the London to Edinburgh route via Newcastle, pledging to revolutionise rail with affordable ticket options, greener trains with a single class inclusive approach with customer satisfaction at its heart. Hull Trains, the first open access rail operator in the UK, introduced under a Labour government in 2000, approaches its 25th birthday and has demonstrated continued growth in both the number of services and seat per train, playing a key role in improving regional connectivity in across Hull and East Yorkshire. 

Darren Paffey, Member of Parliament for Southampton Itchen

The Commission has also today published new data on the greatest barrier to opportunity in every Parliamentary constituency across the country - from the cost of living, to access to educational opportunities. You can find out more and see the data from your area at breakingdownbarrierscommission.co.uk/local.  

Chair of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission and former member of Sir Keir Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet and leader of Newcastle City Council, Nick Forbes CBE, said:

“For decades there has been an acknowledgement that the country needs a fairer and more equal future which successive governments have simply been unable to deliver. That’s a lost opportunity for individuals and communities, for our shared prosperity and for our country. The new political landscape offers a real chance of transformative change. I was delighted to host our event in partnership with Lumo and Hull Trains and look forward to continuing our work on the breaking down barriers agenda going forward.  

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, set out Five Missions which informed the Labour Party’s election campaign and has now guided the King’s speech, setting out a programme for government which focuses attention on the critical areas we need to get right, centred on the need to drive inclusive growth. The fifth Mission, Creating Opportunities for All, aligns with the work of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission and we need to examine that in its widest sense. We need to understand the structural challenges that lead to inequalities and inspire every business and community to play their part in making a difference.  

The interim report launched today showcases some of the innovation and creativity of our members over recent years. By shining a light on this ‘blueprint for excellence’ we can inspire others to play their part. By sharing our insights into what barriers organisations face, we are creating a strong evidence-based platform for constructive engagement with Government about change. I am optimistic that our next phase of work - helping the Government to build new collaborations and partnerships – will deliver a more equitable and prosperous future for all.” 

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Lumo and Hull Trains said: “At Lumo and Hull Trains we believe that railways are more than just a means of transportation. They are lifelines that connect communities, foster regional growth, and drive economic development. This event and our ongoing partnership with the Purpose Coalition underscore our commitment to driving social impact through our innovative rail services, and creative new jobs and opportunities for our communities. Lumo and Hull Trains are lowering the barriers of opportunity by providing more affordable, sustainable and high-quality rail services, with 96% customer satisfaction and delivering combined economic outputs of 1.4bn by the end of our current track access agreements, as well as over 100 direct jobs in both Hull and Newcastle, including a high number through an apprenticeship route We are excited to continue working with government, and the public and private sector to achieve a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.”