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Social mobility in rural English counties is being held back by an outdated and unfair method of funding councils, according to a new report.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Peter Aldous, chairman of the parliamentary group, said: 'An outdated and inequitable method of funding local authorities has disproportionally channelled funding towards London and the major cities; holding back social mobility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

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner