In our annual Advancing Social Mobility research report, we examine what UK public and private sector employers are doing to advance social mobility in 2025-26. Based on analysis of close to 150 entries to the UK Social Mobility Awards in 2026, we examine what employers are doing across three key stages of the social mobility journey: building the foundations through data and strategy, doing the work through outreach, recruitment, retention and progression activities, and taking the lead through advocacy. We also explore what universities are doing to bridge the gap between education and employment for young people from less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds (LSEBs).
Our key findings show:
- Despite a wider slowdown in UK recruitment in 2026, leading employers are doing more to recruit people from LSEBs and provide them with vital career opportunities
- Employers are doing more to retain employees from LSEBs, and are slowly starting to help these employees get in and get on
- We find more strategic approaches to social mobility work this year, and increased leadership and advocacy However, fewer employers report data-led approaches in 2026.
In the context of the UK’s ongoing youth NEET crisis, this year’s research provides unique evidence and key recommendations on what employers need to do to advance social mobility in the UK.
Authors:
Dr Padmini Iyer, Making the Leap
Katrina Leary, Independent social researcher
Kya Christensen, Making The Leap
Download the executive summary (PDF) here:
Download the executive summary + full report (PDF) here:
