Time to end class squeamishness: first government unit to improve life chances for working class
The UK government has launched its first dedicated Class Unit to address entrenched inequality and child poverty, replacing the Social Mobility Commission as part of a broader reform of arm’s length bodies.
The government has established its first dedicated Class Unit, led by Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson, to tackle entrenched inequality and improve life chances for working-class families and disadvantaged communities. The unit will integrate social mobility work into the heart of government, operating alongside existing equality-focused units within the Office for Equality and Opportunity. Its remit includes examining how class influences access to public services, health outcomes, and employment opportunities for low-income groups. The move reflects a broader government commitment to shift decision-making closer to communities and address intergenerational challenges linked to background and opportunity.
As part of this initiative, the government will introduce the socio-economic duty—a new power under the Equality Act requiring public bodies to consider the impact of their decisions on lower-income families. This legal requirement will apply to areas such as transport, services, and budget allocations, ensuring policies actively reduce inequality. The government has also signalled plans to close the Social Mobility Commission (SMC), following a review that found it lacked direct policy influence since its 2016 inception. The SMC will continue producing its annual State of the Nation report during the transition period.
The reforms build on existing government actions to reduce child poverty and improve opportunity, including lifting the two-child limit and expanding free school meals for children on universal credit. These measures aim to break the link between background and life outcomes, with ministers emphasising the need to address systemic inequalities. The government argues that fixing national inequalities is a core state responsibility, with ministers directly accountable for progress. The Class Unit’s creation marks a shift in approach, prioritising practical delivery over external scrutiny bodies.
The government has pledged to devolve power, funding, and decision-making to local areas, enabling communities to shape their own economic and social futures. This includes improving public services and creating strong local economies, with the Class Unit playing a central role in coordinating these efforts. While the closure of the SMC requires legislative change, the government has committed to maintaining external scrutiny of inequality issues during the transition. The reforms aim to ensure that class-based disparities are addressed with the urgency and focus they require.