Mark Whitehead 31 October 2018

Unfair council funding is holding back social mobility in counties, MPs warn

Social mobility in rural English counties is being held back by an outdated and unfair method of funding councils, according to a new report.

The County Councils Network and the County All-Party-Parliamentary Group of MPs say there is a false perception that the counties are affluent.

The report states that eight out of the bottom ten least socially mobile areas in England are county areas.

It blames the current way of funding councils and growing financial strain on their budgets as helping to embed 'a cycle of low social mobility'.

It says public services in county areas receive only £182 per person, compared to £482 for councils in London and £351 for metropolitan boroughs and cities.

Peter Aldous, chairman of the parliamentary group, said: 'An outdated and inequitable method of funding local authorities has disproportionally channelled funding towards London and the major cities; holding back social mobility in county areas, and embedding a cycle of low life chances for residents. This is unfair.'

Jonathan Werran, chief executive of think tank Localis which provided the information, added: 'Our research for the commission shows young people in London are pulling away from the rest of the country in opportunity and educational outcomes as soon as they enter school.'

Read the feature from Carl Les on how ‘small tweaks’ if taken together could deliver big results (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£57072 - £58072 per annum
We are looking for qualified and HCPC registered Educational Psychologists or Year 3 Trainee Educational Psychologists to join our thriving, progressi England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Senior Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£66555 - £67555 per annum
As a result of internal promotions within our service we are looking for committed Senior Educational Psychologists to join us in our work to shape th England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Principal Accountant

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East, we have a budget of around £1.3 billion which helps us provide services to more than 5 Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Mechanical Foreman

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within Building and Facilities Management for a Mechanical Foreman working full time 37 hours.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?    Within a co Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Occupational Health Physiotherapist

Durham County Council
£40,777 to £45,091 p.a. (Grade 11)
An exciting opportunity has arisen with Durham County Council to join our well established ‘in house’ Occupational Health Service in making a positiv Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner