Ministers consider closing social mobility watchdog as part of planned shake-up

The Guardian UK Monday 31 August 2026, 12:23 UTC By Ben Quinn and Peter Walker 1 min read

Key Points

Exclusive: Labour MPs believe SMC has become ineffective and its work ‘should be a core function of government’Ministers are considering a shake-up of the government’s social mobility watchdog that could range from giving it more teeth to abolishing it outright. The move comes amid concerns that the Social Mobility Commission (SMC) – originally conceived under Gordon Brown’s government in 2010 – has become ineffective.

Exclusive: Labour MPs believe SMC has become ineffective and its work ‘should be a core function of government’

Ministers are considering a shake-up of the government’s social mobility watchdog that could range from giving it more teeth to abolishing it outright.

The move comes amid concerns that the Social Mobility Commission (SMC) – originally conceived under Gordon Brown’s government in 2010 – has become ineffective.

SMC (ORG) the Social Mobility Commission (ORG) Gordon Brown’s (PERSON)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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Ministers consider closing social mobility watchdog as part of planned shake-up

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