The Family and Childcare Trust is delighted to announce that the All Party Parliamentary Groups for Social Mobility and Parents and Families have joined forces to launch a new inquiry into parenting support and social mobility.

The issue of social mobility is of growing importance across Britain. With inequalities rising, and the gap between rich and poor becoming more pronounced, the necessity for government to take steps to ensure that life chances are not inextricably tied to background has become more prominent. 

With the General Election fast approaching, both APPGs believe that now is the ideal time to investigate this important area and highlight the key issues to all political parties, and any future government.

The Inquiry is in direct response to feedback from the recent consultation on social mobility and parenting, led by the APPG for Social Mobility, and will hear from academics, providers, government officials, and parliamentarians.

The Inquiry’s panel consists of cross-party parliamentarians from both the House of Commons and House of Lords, and comprises of:

• Baroness Claire Tyler
• Baroness Estelle Morris
• Baroness Elspeth Howe
• Lord Northbourne
• The Earl of Listowel
• The Bishop of Durham
• Annette Brooke MP
• Jeremy Lefroy MP

The Inquiry is holding two detailed evidence sessions; On Monday 26th January and Monday 9th February, both from 16:00 – 18:00 in Committee Room 3, with a final report and recommendations being launched at a parliamentary reception in March 2015. 

The evidence sessions are open to all to observe, with those interested in this issue warmly invited to attend.

The Family and Childcare Trust is providing the secretariat to the Inquiry.

-ENDS-