Speakers at the House of Commons CEILUP event including Professor Peter John CBE and Professor Graeme Atherton
Speakers at the House of Commons CEILUP event including Professor Peter John CBE and Professor Graeme Atherton

“How Can Labour Level Up?” report launched at the House of Commons

Intro

The University of West London’s Centre for Inequality and Levelling Up (CEILUP) launched its latest research report “How Can Labour Level Up?” on Tuesday 11 July, at a special event at the House of Commons attended by politicians, policymakers, and NGOs.  

Main body

Professor Graeme Atherton speaking at the House of Commons CEILUP event.

Sponsored by Shadow Minister for Levelling Up, Alex Norris MP, the evening included speeches from key contributors to the report; founder of the Big Issue, Lord John Bird MBE; Chair of We are Purpose, Justine Greening; Mayor of the West of England, Dan Norris; Vice-Chancellor and President of UWL, Professor Peter John CBE and Head of CEILUP, Professor Graeme Atherton. 

The report’s launch coincided with the second anniversary of CEILUP itself. The idea of establishing an apolitical research unit specialising in social mobility and inequality was the brainchild of Professor Peter John and Professor Atherton, who share a commitment to improving equality. 

Professor Peter John CBE speaking at the House of Commons CEILUP event

Professor John explained:

UWL and CEILUP’s goals are to influence the influencers through empirical research. Opportunities should not be about luck or accident of birth.” 

Discussing his mission to dismantle hardship, Lord Bird shared details of his own life.  

Lots of people do not have the support of families - they are a long way from the starting line. Every time I got nicked it taught me something. I learnt to read and write in a boys’ prison at 16. I widened my literacy with comics and Dostoyevsky. I did all these wonderful things. Every step I took, I took away from the class I came from and all the limitations it placed on me.”

He is now campaigning for a Ministry of Poverty, a topic covered in the report itself. 

Justine Greening argued that the complex issue of social mobility can only be tackled by political parties working together and with big business recruiting more fairly.  

We live in a country without equal opportunities, and we deserve a version of Britain that is better than that,”

she said, before praising UWL for connecting students with openings they might not otherwise have. 

In his speech, Professor John thanked his fellow speakers before offering his thoughts on improving opportunity for all.

One of the ways we can crack this problem is by closing the education gap amongst three- to five-year-olds. We need to encourage children to learn language. And once you can read the door unlocks.” 

Dan Norris stated that Whitehall’s over-centralisation is contributing to regional inequality due to the structure of Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs). This is failing to address levelling up fundamentals like building new homes. He said:

I am proud to have contributed to this vital new report on a timely and important subject. We need smart devolution to make Levelling Up a reality – not a hollow slogan.” 

In his closing speech, Professor Atherton talked about the importance of research in tackling the levelling up agenda. He said:

Research is crucial. We set the centre up to make a difference. And that is what we will continue to do.”

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