Research and analysis

Social Mobility Barometer: public attitudes to social mobility in the UK, 2019 to 2020

Updated 20 December 2018

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Foreword

Social mobility is about helping everyone thrive and grasp opportunities. To know how we are doing on this we need to understand people’s experiences and perceptions rather than just using official statistics.

The Social Mobility Barometer is a survey of over 5,000 people from across the nation. Last year it revealed a divided ‘us and them’ society and deep pessimism among the young. This year there is little difference with widespread concern that things are getting worse.

Forty per cent of respondents think it is getting harder for people from less advantaged backgrounds to move up in British society, almost twice as many as those who think it is becoming easier.

Nearly half of people (46 per cent) say that where you end up in society is largely determined by who your parents are – compared with a third (33 per cent) who say that everyone has a fair chance to get on regardless of their background.

It is typically younger generations who feel more acutely that background determines where you end up, with almost half (48 per cent) of 25 to 49 year olds agreeing with this statement compared with just over a third of those aged 65 and over.

This year we asked whether apprenticeships, university, or other post-school options provide the best progression route – and learnt that most people think apprenticeships offer better life chances than university. However, this varied by age with young people under 25 the least likely to see the value of apprenticeships.

We also asked who, if anyone, should be doing more to create opportunities. We found that 63 per cent of people feel that those who are ‘just about managing’ are not getting enough support from the Government.

We need to raise awareness about what social mobility means and how important it is to give those from disadvantaged backgrounds equal chances. Our latest Social Mobility Barometer shows that just 55 per cent of the public know what social mobility is, underlining the big task ahead^{[footnote 1]}.

Surprisingly men are more likely than women to know what it means and older people more likely than the younger generation. The findings will feed into the Commission’s work, as we strive to widen our audience.

This is a wake-up call for government and the rest of society alike. That is why we are relaunching the Social Mobility Commission with a renewed focus on improving social mobility and driving real action across sectors. We hope that you will join us in our movement for change.

Dame Martina Milburn
Chair

Top line findings

• nearly half of people (46%) say that where you end up in society is largely determined by who your parents are – compared with a third (33%) who say that everyone has a fair chance to get on regardless of their background

• 40% of people think that it is becoming harder for people from disadvantaged backgrounds to move up in society, with 44% of 25 to 49 year olds thinking that it is becoming harder

• it is typically younger generations who feel more acutely that background determines where you end up, with almost half (48%) of 25 to 49 year olds agreeing with this statement compared with 38% of those aged 65 and over

• there is a significant generational divide when it comes to feelings about living standards. When looking at their financial situation, just 30% of 18 to 24 year olds and 34% of 25 to 49 year olds say they are better off than their parents, compared to 71% of those aged 65 years or older

• only a fifth (20%) of 18 to 24 year olds believe they have a better level of job security compared to their parents and only 18% say they have better job satisfaction

• just 22% of those aged 25 to 49 think their housing situation is better than their parents’ compared to 60% of those aged 65

• 75% say there is a large gap between social classes in Britain today – just 14% believe the gap is small. 30% believe this gap is ‘very large’^{[footnote 2]}

• three quarters of people (75%) say poorer people are less likely to go to a top university and 64% say they have less opportunity to get into a professional career

• 63% of people feel that those who are ‘just about managing’ are not getting enough support from Government compared with 2% who say that they are getting too much support

• just 55% of people understand what the term social mobility means, with 18 to 24 year olds least likely to understand it, compared to older age groups^{[footnote 2]}

• over half (52%) of people think that central government should be doing more on social mobility, and 36% think that employers should be doing more. Just 5% think enough is being done. People think that schools are best equipped to tackle social mobility (46% think this), followed by employers (37%) and central government (34%)

• 85% of those who identify as working class think that there is a large gap between social classes

• people think that apprenticeships offer the best route to progression, more so than university. Older people are more likely to think that apprenticeships offer the best route, which could suggest support for life-long learning as a possible solution to social mobility barriers

Top line regional findings

• nearly three quarters of people (73%) say there are ‘fairly or very’ large differences in opportunity depending on where you live in the country

• those living in North East and Northern Ireland (79%) are most likely to think that differences in opportunities exist

• 44 per cent of those who moved from where they grew up say if they had stayed where they were, they would not have got the best opportunities in life

• 57% of those that grew up in the North East think that they would not have had the best opportunities in life had they stayed there

• 64% of people who grew up in and stayed in the North East say the opportunities for people to progress are poor compared to other parts of the country – compared to just 13% of Londoners

• however, Londoners are more likely than people in other parts of Great Britain to feel worse off than their parents in terms of overall living standards, job security, and housing

• 39% of Londoners feel their housing situation is worse than that of their parents, while only 26% feel it is better. In Scotland, these figures are almost reversed – with 41% of people feeling their housing is better than their parents’ and just 26% feeling it is worse

• of all areas of Great Britain, people in Scotland are the most likely to feel better off than their parents in terms of overall living standards

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Methodology

YouGov surveyed 5,520 UK Adults and fieldwork was conducted between 19 and 22 March 2019. The survey was carried out online and figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB Adults aged 18 years or over. YouGov ensured the survey was made representative based on several criteria.

• age and gender
• political attention
• region
• education level
• General Election Vote in 2017
• EU Referendum Vote 2016

A supplemental survey of 1,656 GB Adults was conducted between 9 and 10 October 2018. The survey was carried out online and figures have been weighted and are representative of GB Adults aged 18 years or over.

Report also draws on results from a survey conducted between 6 and 9 March 2017. Sample was 4,723 UK Adults. Figures weighted and representative of UK Adults aged 18 year or over.

YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council.

Gaps between social classes

Three quarters of respondents think that there is a large gap between social classes in Britain

75% of respondents think that there is a large or very large gap between social classes in Britain today, in comparison to 14% who think that there is a small gap.

In the North East, around five sixths of respondents (83%) think there is a large gap between social classes. Scotland and Yorkshire and the Humber have the next highest proportions (80%), whilst respondents in the South East and East Midlands are least likely to say there is a large gap – though 73% though 73% of respondents in both areas still think the gap is large.

Those aged 65 and over are least likely to think that there is a large gap between social classes (68%), whilst those aged 50 to 64 are most likely to think there is a large gap (79%).

How large or small do you think the gap is between different social classes in Britain today?

Out of every 100 people:

• 75 think there is a large gap
• 14 think there is a small gap
• 11 are not sure

How large or small do you think the gap is between different social classes in Britain today? (by age)

Gap between classes	18 to 24 year olds	25 to 49 year olds	50 to 64 year olds	65 years and over
Large gap	76%	76%	79%	68%
Small gap	10%	11%	13%	20%
Not sure	13%	12%	7%	11%

Percentage of respondents that think there is a large gap between different social classes in Britain today (by region) ^{[footnote 3]}

Region	Percentage
North East	83%
Yorkshire and the Humber	80%
Scotland	80%
North West	78%
West Midlands	78%
London	76%
East of England	75%
Northern Ireland	75%
Wales	75%
East Midlands	73%
South East	73%
South West	73%

Sample size: 1,656 UK Adults (18 to 24 n=152, 25 to 49 n=703, 50 to 64 n=415 and 65 or over n=386); Fieldwork: 9 to 10 October 2018.

Just over half of people understand what the term ‘social mobility’ means

55% of people know what the term social mobility means well or fairly well, whilst 36% don’t know if very well or at all.

Younger age groups are less likely to understand the term: just 43% of 18 to 24 year olds know what the term means, in comparison to 61% of 50 to 64 year olds.

Men are more likely to know what the term means: 57% of men understand the term very of fairly well, in comparison to 51% of women.

How well, if at all, do you know what the term “social mobility” means (by gender)?

• 55% know it very or fairly well
• 36% do not know it very well or not at all
• 10% responded do not know to the question

How well, if at all, do you know what the term “social mobility” means?	Women	Men	18 to 24 year olds	25 to 49 year olds	50 to 64 year olds	65 years and over
Well	51%	57%	43%	52%	61%	59%
Not very well or not at all	38%	33%	37%	36%	32%	38%
Do not know	11%	9%	20%	12%	7%	3%

Sample size: 1,656 UK Adults (18 to 24 n=152, 25 to 49 n=703, 50 to 64 n=415 and 65 or over n=386); Fieldwork: 9 to 10 October 2018.

How your background impacts where you end up

People feel that your background and parents determine where you end up in society

Nearly half of people (46%) say that where you end up in society is largely determined by who your parents are – compared with a third (33%) who say that everyone has a fair chance to get on regardless of their background.

Just 25% of 18 to 24 year olds think that everyone has a fair chance to go as far as their talent and hard work will take them (the lowest figure of all age groups), in comparison to 46% of those age 65 and over.

People aged 65 or over are less likely to think that background determines life chances, 38% thinking this, in comparison to 45% of 18 to 24 year olds and 48% of 25 to 64 year olds.

Which of the following best reflects your view?	All UK adults	18 to 24 year olds	25 to 49 year olds	50 to 64 year olds	65 years and over
In Britain today where you end up in society is mainly determined by your background and who your parents were	46%	45%	48%	48%	38%
In Britain today everyone has a fair chance to go as far as their talent and their hard work will take them	33%	25%	28%	31%	46%
Neither	14%	15%	14%	16%	12%
Do not know	8%	15%	10%	5%	4%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

People think that social mobility is getting worse in Britain

People think that social mobility is getting worse in Britain: 40% of respondents think that it is getting harder for people from less advantaged backgrounds to move up in British society, almost twice as many as those who think it is becoming easier.

This is the case across all age groups. 25 to 49 year olds are most likely to think it is becoming harder for people from less advantaged backgrounds to move up in society, with 44% of them thinking this. Just 18% of this group think it is becoming easier.

By contrast, those aged 18 to 24 are the most optimistic on this measure of life chances. Just 29% of them thinking it is becoming harder, while 27% think it is becoming easier.

Generally speaking, do you think it is becoming easier or harder for people from less advantaged backgrounds to move up in British society?	All UK adults	18 to 24 year olds	25 to 49 year olds	50 to 64 year olds	65 years and over
It is becoming easier	21%	27%	18%	19%	24%
It is becoming harder	40%	29%	44%	43%	34%
It is staying much the same	29%	28%	25%	31%	36%
Not sure	10%	16%	13%	7%	5%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

People think that apprenticeships are the best opportunity for progression

Respondents are more likely to think that taking an apprenticeship offers the best opportunity to progress in a young person’s life or career than other routes, with 30% feeling that apprenticeships offer the best route. This compares to 26% of respondents thinking higher education offers the best route, 14% thinking further education, and just 8% thinking that starting work offers the best opportunity.

However, figures differ by age of respondent, with those aged 65 years or over being much more likely to suggest apprenticeships. Respondents aged 65 years or over selected apprenticeships around twice (41%) as much as the next highest category (higher education, 21%).

Conversely, those aged 18 to 24 were more likely to suggest higher education, with around one third suggesting this (34%) in comparison to 20% selecting apprenticeships.

Thinking about the period after a young person leaves school, which of these routes do you think offers the best opportunity to progress in their life or career?	All UK adults	18 to 24 year olds	25 to 49 year olds	50 to 64 year olds	65 years and over
Taking an apprenticeship (that is training on the job)	30%	20%	27%	31%	41%
Going into higher education (that is university)	26%	34%	25%	27%	21%
Going into further education (that is technical education)	14%	11%	13%	13%	16%
Going straight into employment	8%	5%	7%	10%	8%
Something else	3%	3%	4%	4%	3%
Do not know	19%	27%	24%	15%	11%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; (18 to 24 n=152, 25 to 49 n=703, 50 to 64 n=415 and 65 or over n=386); Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Three quarters of people think that poorer people have less opportunity to go to a top university

Three quarter of respondents feel that those from poor backgrounds have less opportunity to go to a top university.

A large majority of respondents feel that poorer people have less opportunity in most areas: 70% feel they have less opportunity to become a home owner; 60% feel they have less opportunity to leave school with good qualifications; and 58% feel they have less opportunity to get a well-paid job.

Only on access to apprenticeships did over half of respondents feel that there was equal opportunity, with 54% saying this.

Thinking about the opportunities that people from different backgrounds have in life, how do you think the opportunities open to people from poor backgrounds compare to those open to people from better off backgrounds in the following areas:	People from poor backgrounds have less opportunity	People have equal opportunities, regardless of background	People from better off backgrounds have less opportunity	Do not know
Going to a top university	75%	13%	3%	10%
Becoming a home-owner	70%	20%	1%	9%
Going to university	65%	24%	2%	9%
Getting into a professional career such as law or accountancy	64%	23%	1%	12%
Being able to access good quality childcare	63%	17%	3%	17%
Leaving school with a good set of educational qualifications	60%	30%	1%	9%
Getting a well-paid job	58%	30%	1%	10%
Getting work experience or an internship	49%	34%	2%	15%
Getting a top apprenticeship such as a degree apprenticeship	49%	29%	3%	21%
Getting an apprenticeship	24%	54%	7%	15%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Are things better than they used to be?

Most people think that their lives are better or similar to their parents’ lives

People tend to think that they are better off than – or as well off as – their parents on most aspects of life, with 63% thinking that the education that they received was better than their parents.

However, this varies widely based on the aspect of life in question. Slightly more people think that their parents had better job security than them (30% versus 29%).

Do you think you’re better or worse off than your parents were in terms of:	Better off	Similar to my parents	Worse off	Not sure
The education you received	63%	25%	6%	6%
Your financial situation	46%	20%	28%	7%
Your overall standard of living	45%	29%	20%	7%
Your housing	35%	28%	29%	7%
Job satisfaction	29%	37%	20%	13%
The level of job security you’ve experienced	29%	30%	30%	10%
Your position in society	28%	48%	14%	9%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Younger generations are much less likely to think they are better off than their parents

Most people under 50 feel worse off than their parents in terms of their housing, job security, job satisfaction and personal finances (the negative figures).

By contrast, most of this under-50 group feel better off than their parents in terms of living standards, their position in society and education (the positive figures).

Even so, the younger age groups are far less likely than older generations to feel better off than their parents on any of our measures. Those aged 65 and over are about 3 times more positive about their position in society and over 4 times more positive about their overall living standards than those aged 18 to 24.

Do you think you’re better or worse off than your parents in terms of: (net total ‘better off’ minus total ‘worse off’)	18 to 24 year olds	25 to 49 year olds	50 to 64 year olds	65 years and over
Your housing	-15%	-20%	23%	50%
The level of job security you’ve experienced	-5%	-15%	-4%	29%
Job satisfaction	-2%	-3%	11%	36%
Your financial situation	-2%	-3%	29%	60%
Your position in society	11%	2%	19%	35%
Your overall standard of living	16%	4%	33%	61%
The education you received	51%	49%	62%	65%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; (18 to 24 n=152, 25 to 49 n=703, 50 to 64 n=415 and 65 or over n=386); Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Londoners are more likely to feel worse off than their parents

Compared to the rest of Great Britain, people in London are more likely to feel worse off than their parents. This applies to overall living standards, housing, job security, and personal finances. On housing and job security, there are more Londoners who feel worse off than their parents than those who feel better off.

Compared to people in Scotland, Londoners are 7 percentage points less likely to feel better off than their parents on living standards.

Londoners fare the very worst on housing. Just 26% of Londoners think they are better off than their parents when it comes to housing, versus 41% of those in Scotland – a 15 percentage point difference.

On the positive end, people in Scotland are the most likely to say they are better off than their parents on overall living standards, housing and personal finances. People in the North tend to be most positive about their job security relative to their parents.

Otherwise, there is not much regional variation in whether people feel better or worse off than their parents.

Do you think you’ve been better or worse off than your parents were in terms of your overall standard of living?	Better off	Similar to my parents	Worse Off	Not sure
London	40%	28%	25%	7%
Rest of South	44%	30%	19%	7%
Midlands and Wales	45%	29%	19%	7%
North	45%	28%	19%	7%
Scotland	47%	30%	20%	4%

Do you think you’ve been better or worse off than your parents were in terms of your housing?	Better off	Similar to my parents	Worse Off	Not sure
London	26%	26%	39%	9%
Rest of South	34%	27%	31%	7%
Midlands and Wales	39%	29%	26%	7%
North	37%	29%	27%	8%
Scotland	41%	29%	26%	4%

Do you think you’ve been better or worse off than your parents were in terms of the level of job security you’ve experienced?	Better off	Similar to my parents	Worse Off	Not sure
London	26%	27%	35%	12%
Rest of South	29%	31%	30%	10%
Midlands and Wales	28%	32%	29%	11%
North	32%	28%	30%	10%
Scotland	29%	32%	32%	7%

Do you think you’ve been better or worse off than your parents were in terms of your financial situation?	Better off	Similar to my parents	Worse Off	Not sure
London	45%	17%	30%	8%
Rest of South	45%	20%	28%	6%
Midlands and Wales	46%	20%	28%	6%
North	45%	20%	27%	8%
Scotland	49%	20%	26%	4%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults (London n=536, Rest of South n=1,720, Midlands and Wales n=1,344, North n=1,213 and Scotland n=553); Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

There is little regional variation in whether people feel better off than their parents on most measures

In terms of education, job satisfaction, or position in society, there is not much difference by region as to whether people feel better off than their parents.

Bucking other trends slightly, Londoners are marginally more likely than others to think they received better education than their parents – with 65% thinking they are better off, compared to 62% in most areas.

In terms of job satisfaction, those in Scotland are slightly more negative than people in other areas.

Otherwise there are few clear regional differences.

Do you think you’ve been better or worse off than your parents were in terms of the education you received?	Better off	Similar to my parents	Worse Off	Not sure
London	65%	22%	6%	7%
Rest of South	61%	26%	8%	5%
Midlands and Wales	62%	27%	6%	6%
North	62%	25%	6%	6%
Scotland	62%	29%	5%	4%

Do you think you’ve been better or worse off than your parents were in terms of job satisfaction?	Better off	Similar to my parents	Worse Off	Not sure
London	27%	35%	22%	15%
Rest of South	30%	37%	20%	13%
Midlands and Wales	29%	39%	19%	13%
North	30%	37%	19%	13%
Scotland	29%	39%	24%	8%

Do you think you’ve been better or worse off than your parents were in terms of your position in society?	Better off	Similar to my parents	Worse Off	Not sure
London	30%	45%	15%	11%
Rest of South	29%	49%	13%	9%
Midlands and Wales	28%	49%	14%	9%
North	29%	47%	15%	10%
Scotland	29%	49%	15%	8%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults (London n=536, Rest of South n=1,720, Midlands and Wales n=1,344, North n=1,213 and Scotland n=553); Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Less than 40% of individuals think that they are better off than 10 years ago

37% of individuals think that they are better off financially than they were 10 years ago, whilst 31% think that they are worse off.

People who characterised themselves as working class were more likely to think that they are worse off, with 35% feeling that they are worse off and marginally fewer people feeling better off. By contrast, just 26% of people who characterised themselves as middle class thought that they were worse off.

Of those who described themselves as middle class, the number who felt better off was 19 percentage points higher than the number who felt worse off, in comparison to the number who felt better off was 1 percentage point less than the number who felt worse off for those that described themselves as working class.

Generally speaking, would you say your current financial situation is better or worse than it was ten years ago or is it about the same?	All UK adults
Better	37%
About the same	25%
Worse	31%
Do not know	6%

Generally speaking, would you say your current financial situation is better or worse than it was ten years ago or is it about the same?	Working class	Middle class
Better	34%	45%
Worse	35%	26%
Net difference between better and worse off	-1%	19%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults (working class n=2,557 and middle class n=2,031); Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Looking forward to future generations

People think older generations had more opportunities to move up in society

Overall, people think that those born between the 1940s and 1970s have had the best opportunities, while younger generations are missing out.

Most people think the 1960s to 1970s generation had the most opportunity to move up in society, while just 11% of people think that the post-2000 generation will have the most opportunity to move up.

This is despite the fact that people think educational opportunities have been fairly equal across the generations. About a fifth of people think the post-2000 generation has had the best educational opportunities, while a similar number of people think this of the 1960s to 1970s and 1980s to 1990s generations.

This suggests that people blame other factors – such as housing or employment, rather than education –for making it harder for younger generations to move ahead in life.

Advantages	People born before the Second World War	People born in the 1940s and 1950s	People born in the 1960s and 1970s	People born in the 1980s and 1990s	People born since the year 2000	No real difference between the generations	Do not know
Which generation do you think had or has most opportunity to move up in society?	2%	18%	25%	19%	11%	7%	18%
Which generation do you think had or has the best educational opportunities?	1%	11%	23%	23%	20%	6%	17%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Responses suggest older generations had far better financial opportunities

People think that younger generations are less likely than previous generations to benefit from secure employment, housing, or personal finances.

Around 60% of respondents think that those born in either the 1940s to 1950s or the 1960s to 1970s had the most job security and the best access to good housing. By contrast, a mere 3% of people think those born since the 2000s will have the best job security, and just 5% think they will have the best access to housing. People are also pessimistic about opportunities for those born in the 1980s to 1990s, with only 9% thinking they have the most job security.

In terms of personal finances, the 1980s to 1990s generation may fare slightly better (18% think they have it best). That said, it is still the earlier post-war generations that are believed to have the most opportunities and those born after 2000 the least.

Advantages	People born before the Second World War	People born in the 1940s and 1950s	People born in the 1960s and 1970s	People born in the 1980s and 1990s	People born since the year 2000	No real difference between the generations	Do not know
Which generation do you think had or has the most job security?	7%	35%	23%	9%	3%	6%	18%
Which generation do you think was or is most able to access good housing?	4%	28%	32%	14%	5%	4%	14%
Which generation do you think was or is in the best financial situation?	2%	22%	26%	18%	8%	5%	19%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

The generations fare more equally on measures of living standards and freedom

When it comes to freedom or overall standards of living, people are more likely to think the younger generation have it best – though most still think those born in the 1960s and 1970s had better opportunities.

21% of people think those born since the year 2000 will have the most freedom to do what they want in life, though this is still less than the 30% who believe the 1960s to 1970s generation had the most freedom.

On living standards, answers were fairly evenly spread across each post-war generation, but with slightly higher response levels for those born before the 1980s.

On job satisfaction, though, younger generations appear to lose out dramatically – with just 3% of people thinking those born since the year 2000 will have the most job satisfaction.

Advantages	People born before the Second World War	People born in the 1940s and 1950s	People born in the 1960s and 1970s	People born in the 1980s and 1990s	People born since the year 2000	No real difference between the generations	Do not know
Which generation do you think had or has the most freedom to do what they wanted in life?	2%	11%	30%	17%	21%	6%	14%
Which generation experienced or will experience the highest standard of living?	2%	21%	23%	17%	18%	5%	14%
Which generation do you think had or has the most job satisfaction?	4%	19%	18%	10%	3%	17%	29%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Just 15% of 18 to 24 year olds think that their generation has the most opportunity to move up in society

18 to 24 year olds are generally pessimistic about their own generation (born in the 1980s to 1990s), but those over 50 do not seem as worried about the younger group’s life chances.

Of 18 to 24 year olds, just 15% think that their generation (born 1980s to 1990s) has the most opportunity to move up in society. Likewise, only 13% think their generation will have the best standard of living, and 12% think they will fare best in terms of personal finances.

By contrast, those over 50 are far more likely to think that 18 to 24 year olds have it best – with more than 20% to 23% thinking this. This perception gap could cause intergenerational friction.

That said, all age groups tend to think that older generations have had it better opportunities overall.

Which generation had or has the best opportunities to move up in society?	People born before the Second World War	People born in the 1940s and 1950s	People born in the 1960s and 1970s	People born in the 1980s and 1990s	People born since the year 2000	No real difference between the generations	Do not know
65 years or over	2%	22%	30%	22%	8%	7%	9%
50 to 60 years old	3%	17%	28%	23%	10%	8%	12%
25 to 49 years old	4%	18%	21%	17%	12%	7%	24%
18 to 24 years old	3%	11%	24%	15%	18%	4%	26%

Which generation has or has the best opportunities in terms of living standards?	People born before the Second World War	People born in the 1940s and 1950s	People born in the 1960s and 1970s	People born in the 1980s and 1990s	People born since the year 2000	No real difference between the generations	Do not know
65 years or over	2%	24%	29%	20%	14%	4%	8%
50 to 60 years old	3%	21%	24%	21%	14%	5%	11%
25 to 49 years old	1%	21%	18%	15%	20%	5%	19%
18 to 24 years old	1%	12%	22%	13%	28%	4%	19%

Which generation has or has the best opportunities in terms of financial situation?	People born before the Second World War	People born in the 1940s and 1950s	People born in the 1960s and 1970s	People born in the 1980s and 1990s	People born since the year 2000	No real difference between the generations	Do not know
65 years or over	1%	24%	29%	22%	8%	4%	11%
50 to 60 years old	3%	23%	28%	20%	7%	5%	15%
25 to 49 years old	2%	23%	23%	15%	7%	5%	25%
18 to 24 years old	2%	16%	27%	12%	12%	6%	25%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; (18 to 24 n=486, 25 to 49 n=2,309, 50 to 64 n=1,383 and 65 or over n=1,342); Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Social class and background

People do not generally think that their background has given them advantages

People generally do not think that their family background has given then advantages in life, with 45 per cent feeling that it has not given them advantages or disadvantages in education, 53 per cent in their career and 59 per cent in their progression at work.

However, people are most likely to think that their family background has given them advantages in their education, with around one third (32 per cent) believing this to be the case, in comparison to 17 per cent that think it has disadvantaged them.

Similarly, more people think that it has given them advantages than disadvantages in their career and progression at work (7 percentage points more in their career and 5 percentage points more in their progression at work).

Thinking about your family background, do you think it gave you any advantages or disadvantages in:	Advantages	Disadvantages	None	Not sure
Your education	32%	17%	45%	6%
Your choice of career	23%	16%	53%	8%
Your progression at work	18%	13%	59%	9%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Working class respondents were less likely to feel they had advantages in life

Respondents who classified themselves as working class were much less likely to feel that they have had advantages in life than their middle class counterparts.

20% of working class respondents felt that their background gave them advantages in their education, in comparison to almost one half (48%) of middle class respondents.

Working class respondents were 17 percentage points less likely to think that their background has given them advantages in their choice of career compared to middle class respondents (17% versus 34%).

Just 14% of working class respondents feel that their family background has given them advantages in progression at work, around one quarter (26%) of middle class respondents.

Thinking about your family background, do you think it gave you any advantages or disadvantages in your education?	Advantages	No advantages or disadvantages	Disadvantages	Not sure
Middle class	48%	38%	11%	3%
Working class	20%	53%	21%	6%

Thinking about your family background, do you think it gave you any advantages or disadvantages in your choice of career?	Advantages	No advantages or disadvantages	Disadvantages	Not sure
Middle class	34%	51%	11%	4%
Working class	17%	56%	20%	7%

Thinking about your family background, do you think it gave you any advantages or disadvantages in your progression at work?	Advantages	No advantages or disadvantages	Disadvantages	Not sure
Middle class	26%	59%	10%	6%
Working class	14%	62%	17%	7%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults (working class n=2,557 and middle class n=2,031); Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Just 12% of working class respondents feel that their background has helped them in work

Just 12% of respondents that classed themselves as working class felt that their social background helped them in life, 18 percentage points less than middle class respondents.

23% of working class respondents felt that their connections have helped them in their working lives, in comparison to 30% of middle class respondents.

Middle class respondents are more likely to feel that they can fit in with more affluent people: just 21% feel they have difficulty fitting in, in comparison to 36% of working class respondents.

Do you think your social background has helped you or held you back in your working life?	Helped me	Neither helped or held me back	Held me back	Not sure
Middle class	30%	54%	11%	5%
Working class	12%	59%	22%	6%

Thinking about the contacts you have and the people you know. Do you think whether or not you have the right connections has helped you or held you back in your working life?	Helped me	Neither helped or held me back	Held me back	Not sure
Middle class	30%	55%	9%	6%
Working class	23%	58%	11%	8%

How easy or difficult do you find it to “fit in” around people who come from more affluent backgrounds than your own?	Easy	Difficult	Not sure
Middle class	70%	21%	9%
Working class	50%	36%	14%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults (working class n=2,557 and middle class n=2,031); Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

85% of working class people think there is a large gap between social classes

85% of people who identify as working class think that there is a large gap between social classes in Britain today, in comparison to 72% of people who identify as middle class.

Just 8% think of people who identify as working class say there is a small gap between social classes, compared to 21% of middle class people.

How large or small do you think the gap is between different social classes in Britain today?	Large gap	Small gap	Not sure
Working class respondents	85%	8%	7%
Middle class respondents	72%	21%	7%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults (working class n=2,557 and middle class n=2,031); Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Regional differences

People think a geographic postcode lottery exists

Almost three quarters of people (73%) believe that there is a very or fairly large difference in the opportunities available in different parts of Britain today, with only 16% saying that there is not much or no difference at all.

Those in the North East and Northern Ireland are most likely to say that there are large differences in opportunities in different parts of Britain today, whilst those in the Midlands and the South East are least likely to say that there are large differences.

How much difference, if any, do you think there is in the opportunities available in different parts of Britain today?	All UK adults
Large difference	73%
Not very much or no difference at all	16%
Do not know	11%

Percentage of adults who say that there are large differences in opportunities in different parts of Britain

Region	Percentage
North East	79%
Northern Ireland	79%
Wales	78%
Yorkshire and the Humber	76%
Scotland	76%
London	75%
South West	72%
North West	71%
East of England	71%
South East	69%
West Midlands	68%
East Midlands	67%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Those that stayed in the North East are more pessimistic than those that moved

57% of people that moved away from the North East think that they would not have been as successful had they stayed in the North East. In comparison, just 24% of people that moved away from London think they would not have been as successful.

In comparison, just 7% of those that stayed in the North East think they would have had less success had they have moved away from the North East.

55% of individuals who moved away from the North East think there are good opportunities to progress in their area, compared to just 26% of those that stayed in the North East.

Which of the following best reflects your view? (Excluding ‘not sure’ responses)	Left the area I grew up - London	Left the area I grew up - North East
I would probably have had more success and more opportunities had I stayed in the area I grew up	17%	8%
I could have had just as much success and as many opportunities had I stayed in the area I grew up in	37%	19%
If I had stayed in the area I grew up I would not have been able to have as many opportunities or as much success in life	24%	57%

Which of the following best reflects your view? (Excluding ‘not sure’ responses)	Stayed in or near the area I grew up - London	Stayed in or near the area I grew up - North East
I would probably have had more success and more opportunities had I stayed in the area I grew up	31%	7%
I could have had just as much success and as many opportunities had I stayed in the area I grew up in	31%	34%
If I had stayed in the area I grew up I would not have been able to have as many opportunities or as much success in life	10%	34%

People who grew up in the North East:

Thinking about the area you currently live in, compared to other parts of the United Kingdom do you think the opportunities available for people to progress are:	Stayed in or near the area I grew up	Moved away from the area I grew up
Very or fairly good	26%	55%
Very or fairly poor	64%	31%
Do not know	10%	13%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults (London n=536 and North East n=206); Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Government support

People think that government needs to do more for those at the bottom

Respondents were more supportive of those who are just about managing (JAMs) than those who are least well off with almost two thirds of respondents (63%) believe that those who are just about managing (JAMs) are not getting enough government support, whilst only 2% think that they are getting too much support.

This compares to 49% of respondents who believe that those who are least well off not getting enough support, with 12% believing that they get too much.

Around three quarters (76 per cent) of respondents feel that those who are fairly comfortable financially are either getting too much support or the right amount of support.

Thinking about different groups in society, generally speaking do you think each of the following get too much, not enough or about the right amount of support from the government:	Too much support	About the right amount of support	Not enough support	Do not know
Those who are the least well off	12%	26%	49%	13%
Those who are just about managing	2%	23%	63%	12%
Those who are fairly comfortable financially	21%	55%	7%	16%
Those who are the most well off	55%	23%	3%	19%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Over half of respondents think central government should be doing more on social mobility

Half of respondents (52%) think central government should be doing more to impact on social mobility, followed by local government (39%), schools and employers (36%). Just 5% think none of these should be doing more on social mobility.

However, almost half of respondents think schools are best equipped to have an impact on social mobility (46%), followed by employers (37%) and central government (34%).

Which of the following is best equipped to have an impact on social mobility and ensuring opportunity for all (including those from disadvantaged backgrounds)?	Percentage
Schools	46%
Employers	37%
Central government	34%
Universities and other post-16 providers	30%
Local government	24%
Nurseries	7%
Charities and think-tanks	5%
None of these	5%
Do not know	20%

Which, if any, of the following do you think should be doing more to impact on social mobility and ensuring opportunity for all (including those from disadvantaged backgrounds)?	Percentage
Central government	52%
Local government	39%
Schools	36%
Employers	36%
Universities and other post-16 providers	27%
Charities and think-tanks	8%
Nurseries	7%
None of these	5%
Do not know	19%

Sample size: 5,520 UK Adults; Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018

Trends

People feel more positively on some things than previously, but a largely negative view still pervades

There has been a slight fall in the percentage of people that think there is a large gap between people from different social classes since 2017, but 75 per cent still feel that there is a large gap.

Similarly, there has been a 4 percentage point fall in the proportion of people that think it is harder for people from less advantaged to move up in British society (40 per cent), but this is still higher than the proportion that think it is the same (29 per cent) and easier (21 per cent).

There has been a slight fall in the proportion that think where you end up is mainly determined by your background or who your parents were (48 per cent to 46 per cent).

Percentage that think there is a gap is between different social classes in Britain today:	March 2017	March 2018	October 2018
Large	79%	76%	75%
Small	12%	13%	14%
Not sure	9%	11%	11%

Is it becoming easier or harder for people from less advantaged backgrounds to move up in society?	March 2017	March 2018
Harder	44%	40%
Same	29%	29%
Easier	18%	21%
Not sure	9%	10%

Do you think your family background gave you any advantages or disadvantages in your career?	March 2017	March 2018
None	51%	53%
Advantages	26%	23%
Disadvantages	16%	16%
Not sure	7%	8%

Which of the following best reflects your view?	March 2017	March 2018
Everyone has a fair chance to go as far as their talent and hard work will take them	32%	33%
Where you end up mainly determined by your background or who your parents were	48%	46%
Neither	13%	14%
Do not know	7%	8%

Do you think your family background gave you any advantages or disadvantages in your education?	March 2017	March 2018
None	43%	45%
Advantages	35%	32%
Disadvantages	17%	17%
Not sure	5%	6%

Do you think your family background gave you any advantages or disadvantages in your progression at work:	March 2017	March 2018
None	57%	59%
Advantages	23%	18%
Disadvantages	13%	13%
Not sure	8%	9%

Sample size for March 2017: 4,723 UK Adults. Fieldwork: 6 to 9 March 2017. Sample size for March 2018: 5,520 UK Adults. Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018. Sample size for October 2018: 1,656 GB Adults. Fieldwork: 9 to 10 October 2018.

There has been a slight increase in the percentage of people that think there are regional differences

There has been a 2 percentage point increase in the proportion of people that think there is a large difference in the opportunities available in different parts of Britain today in the last year (71 per cent to 73 per cent).

There has been no change in the proportion of people think that their financial situation is worse than it was 10 years ago (31 per cent). This is less than the percentage that think their situation is better (37 per cent, also unchanged).

There has been no change in the percentage of people that think the least well off don’t have enough support (49 per cent) but there has been a slight increase in the number that think the ‘just about managing’ need more support (61 to 63 per cent).

How much difference, if any, do you think there is in the opportunities available in different parts of Britain today?	March 2017	March 2018
Large differences	71%	73%
Not very much or no difference	18%	16%
Do not know	11%	11%

Would you say your current financial situation is better or worse than it was ten years ago or is it about the same?	March 2017	March 2018
Better	37%	37%
Same	31%	31%
Worse	28%	25%
Do not know	5%	6%

Do you think those who are least well off get too much, not enough, or about the right amount of support from the government?

Those who are the least well off:	March 2017	March 2018
Not enough	49%	49%
Right amount	25%	26%
Too much	12%	12%
Do not know	13%	13%

Those who are just about managing:	March 2017	March 2018
Not enough	61%	63%
Right amount	25%	23%
Too much	2%	2%
Do not know	12%	12%

Those who are fairly comfortable financially:	March 2017	March 2018
Not enough	8%	7%
Right amount	51%	55%
Too much	26%	21%
Do not know	15%	16%

Those who are the most well off:	March 2017	March 2018
Not enough	3%	3%
Right amount	22%	23%
Too much	58%	55%
Do not know	17%	19%

Sample size for March 2017: 4,723 UK Adults. Fieldwork: 6 to 9 March 2017. Sample size for March 2018: 5,520 UK Adults. Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018. Sample size for October 2018: 1,656 GB Adults. Fieldwork: 9 to 10 October 2018.

About the Commission

The Social Mobility Commission is an advisory non-departmental public body established under the Life Chances Act 2010 as modified by the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016. It has a duty to assess progress in improving social mobility in the UK and to promote social mobility in England. It consists of thirteen commissioners and is supported by a small secretariat.

The Commission board comprises:

• Dame Martina Milburn (Chair)
• Alastair da Costa, Chair of Capital City College Group
• Farrah Storr, Editor-in-chief of Elle
• Harvey Matthewson, Aviation Activity Officer at Aerobility
• Jessica Oghenegweke, Broadcast & Digital Programme Coordinator at The Roundhouse
• Jody Walker, Senior Vice President at TJX Europe (TK Maxx and Home Sense in the UK)
• Liz Williams, Group Director of Digital Society at BT
• Pippa Dunn, Founder of Broody, helping entrepreneurs and start ups
• Saeed Atcha, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Xplode magazine
• Sam Friedman, Associate Professor in Sociology at London School of Economics
• Sammy Wright, Vice Principal of Southmoor Academy, Sunderland
• Sandra Wallace, Managing Partner UK and Joint Managing Director Europe at DLA Piper
• Steven Cooper, most recently, Chief Executive Officer Barclaycard Business, moving to Chief Executive Officer C. Hoare & Co

The functions of the Commission include:

• monitoring progress on improving social mobility
• providing published advice to ministers on matters relating to social mobility
• undertaking social mobility advocacy

© Crown copyright 2018

Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at the Social Mobility Commission:

Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BT

Email: [email protected]

1. These results were taken from a separate smaller survey of 1,656 GB adults. Fieldwork was conducted between 9 to 10 October 2018 for this survey. ↩

2. These results were taken from a separate smaller survey of 1,656 GB adults. Fieldwork was conducted between 9 to 10 October 2018 for this survey. ↩ ↩²

3. All regional results in this table: sample size: 5,520 UK Adults (North East n=206, North West n=549, Yorkshire and the Humber n=458, East Midlands n=388, West Midlands n=452, East of England n=511, London n=536, South East n=724, South West n=485, Wales n=504, Scotland n=553, Northern Ireland n=154); Fieldwork: 19 to 22 March 2018 ↩