Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate this week (21.03.23), Peter Gibson MP has highlighted the importance role that social mobility plays in levelling up, particularly focusing on the importance of education and skills.
Levelling up is not just about investing in parts of the North that have been ignored by governments of all colours for years. It is also about providing opportunity, aspiration and inspiration to the next generation, which in turn is critical to delivering social mobility.
Speaking during the debate, Mr Gibson outlined the new opportunities afforded to Darlington residents, which will enable them to fully reach their potential and find good, well-paid and secure employment into the future. Mr Gibson highlighted the recent opening of the brand new engineering block, the Ingenium Centre, at Darlington College, which will house the college’s T-Level students.
Mr Gibson said, “I commend the Government for introducing T-levels, and for providing an innovative educational route for people to gain the skills they need to prosper and fully meet their potential.”
Mr Gibson once again highlighted Skerne Park Academy’s reading lobster scheme, which is encouraging a lifelong love of reading among children. Mr Gibson also praised the work of Justine Greening and David Harrison through the Social Mobility Pledge, highlighting how “through the Harrison Foundation, the Social Mobility Pledge has contributed over £50,000 to First Stop Darlington, which is helping people get on in life.”
Concluding his speech, Mr Gibson commended the Government for their investment in Darlington, which has “helped to galvanise organisations that work with local people to ensure their true potential is not wasted.” However, Mr Gibson called on the Government to go further to ensure even more opportunities for social mobility are afforded to people up and down the country.
