More localised approaches are essential to driving opportunity and reducing regional inequalities across Northern Ireland, according to the Social Mobility Commission.
Robert Wilson, Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, met senior business representatives and local leaders in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry during a two-day visit to explore how Northern Ireland can strengthen social mobility, support economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity across Northern Ireland.
During the visit, the Commission confirmed it had secured access to data that will enable a regional breakdown of social mobility within Northern Ireland over the last two-decades for its highly anticipated 2026 State of the Nation report. This new analysis will show more detailed trends and identify regional disparities that exist within Northern Ireland – unlocking a crucial new evidence-base for policymakers to design targeted interventions.
The Commission’s latest State of the Nation analysis shows that Northern Ireland overall ranks among the lowest-performing parts of the UK on key measures of social mobility, including labour market progression, earnings and educational outcomes.
Robert Wilson, Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission said:
“Regional inequalities are becoming a huge concern. For too long, ‘one-size-fits all’ approaches have struggled to address deeply embedded local challenges. Without local insight, policy risks missing the mark.
“Increasing opportunity must be central to raising living standards, increasing workforce participation and strengthening local economies. Social mobility is not separate from growth – it is fundamental to it.
“There is no quick fix. But durable progress will only come from solutions shaped and driven locally – with businesses, the public sector and civil society working together to a shared long-term plan.
“Northern Ireland has extraordinary talent and resilience. The task now is to ensure that where someone grows up does not determine how far they can go.”
Business leaders, policy-makers and representatives from the voluntary sector and academia joined the roundtable discussions, including:
- Nichola Creagh, Director for Community Empowerment, at the Department for Communities
- Katie Matthews-Furphy, Founder at The Mind Tribe
- Stephen Dallas, Director of The Byte Project and Executive Committee Member at NICVA (Northern Ireland Council For Voluntary Action)
- Katherine Thorn, Head of Talent and Culture at Navantia UK (formerly Harland & Wolff)
- Craig Glover, Head of Disputes at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
- Louise Smyth, Group Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Stevens, Group Bid and Insights Manager, at MCS Group
- Bronagh Fletcher, VP of Delivery, at Napier AI
- Joanne Murray, HR Services Manager, at Translink
- Attracta Mathews, Social Impact Manager, at GRAHAM
- Orla Major, Head of Government Partnerships at King’s Trust NI
- Aileen O’Kane, Head of People and Purpose, at Belfast City Airport
- Briege Arthurs, CEO at Forward South Partnership
- Vivian McKinnon, Trauma Growth Therapist at Hydro-ease
The visit was part of the Commission’s tour across the UK’s nations and regions, making the case that inclusive local growth, built on innovation, investment and widening opportunity, must be a central priority for employers, policymakers and leaders.