Social mobility in rural areas focus of Lords inquiry

The House of Lords Social Mobility Policy Committee continues its inquiry on Thursday 19 June by hearing from organisations who work in and with rural communities.

The session begins at 10.05am in Committee Room 3, Palace of Westminster and can be followed live or afterwards on Parliament TV.

Giving evidence will be:

• Ruth McAreavey,
  Professor of Sociology & Co-investigator, National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise, Newcastle University;
  
  
• Kate Smith,
  CEO Connexus;
  
  
• Sharon Payne,
  Regional Rural Mobility Manager, Transport East;
   
• Jonathan Roberts,
  Director of External Affairs, Country Land and Business Association;
  
  
• Kerry Booth,
  CEO, Rural Services Network.

Members are expected to ask questions on:

• social mobility data available in rural areas;
  
  
• challenges faced by the rural economy and businesses in providing jobs opportunities for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds;
  
  
• barriers faced by young people from rural areas in accessing education and training;
  
  
• transport challenges faced by rural communities;
  
  
• the role of local partnerships in improving opportunities for people from a lower socio-economic background;
  
  
• internet and mobile phone connectivity issues facing rural communities;
  
  
• the distribution of central government funds in rural areas to effectively enhance social mobility.