The United Kingdom government is reportedly planning to establish a new Whitehall unit focused on improving outcomes for lower-income families, a move that would place social class on an equal footing with sex, race, and disability for the first time. The initiative is part of an overhaul of the government's equalities agenda.
The proposed unit, set to operate within the Office for Equality and Opportunity, is expected to impose a socioeconomic duty on public bodies. This duty would legally obligate these organizations to consider how their actions impact lower-income families and to revise how areas of deprivation are assessed. The government aims for this to be a dedicated team within Whitehall tasked with reducing class inequalities and discrimination, similar to existing units focused on race, gender, LGBT, and disability rights.
A government source described the new unit as a potential "centre of excellence" for analyzing data related to class, socioeconomic background, public services, and their outcomes. Some officials currently supporting the Social Mobility Commission are anticipated to transfer to this new unit.
As part of these reforms, the Social Mobility Commission, established in 2010, is expected to be closed. The commission's role has been to assess and promote progress in social mobility across the UK.
Conservative MP Joy Morrissey, the shadow equalities minister, has voiced criticism of the reported plans. She argued that the proposed socioeconomic duty could lead to increased bureaucracy for businesses and public bodies, potentially hindering growth and fostering division rather than aspiration. Morrissey stated that her party would aim to abolish this duty and re-emphasize meritocracy.
The reforms are anticipated to be announced by Bridget Phillipson, the equalities minister.