Read: LPC 23: How universities can continue to drive social mobility
There’s no doubt that going to university can be transformational, particularly for those from less privileged backgrounds. Universities can offer their students the chance to improve their lives with more rewarding and better-paid jobs. They are also anchor institutions in their communities, acting as critical connectors in their local areas, partnering with the private sector and other public sector organisations to deliver opportunity. That benefits local economies too, especially in areas where opportunity has traditionally been limited.
At an event at today’s Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Putting social mobility at the heart of Britain’s universities, discussion focused on how a Labour Government would support universities in the future and ensure that they remain engines of social mobility. Speakers included Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of the Purpose Coalition, Professor Eunice Simmons, Vice-Chancellor & Principal, University of Chester, and Steve McCabe, MP for Birmingham Selly Oak and Nick Forbes CBE.
The Labour Party has committed to breaking the class ceiling and putting education at the heart of its governing policy. Today’s event heard about some of the issues standing in the way of its mission to break down the barriers to opportunity, including the current system of university funding which many Vice-Chancellors believe is no longer fit for purpose, student loans, the stagnation in value of the maintenance grant, low value degrees and widening access and participation.
The University of Chester is a best-in-class example of a university where social mobility is in its DNA. It is ambitious in supporting young people in their careers, particularly those from underrepresented groups, and is focused on delivering social value not only for its students but also for its colleagues and the wider Chester community. Like the best purpose-led universities, it also recognises that it can go even further in providing access to opportunity and is working with its partners to make a real difference.
