upReach Annual Report 2023-24 - Report - Page 10
Our Mission and Purpose
Why Do We Exist?
Social Mobility Problems are Persistent in the UK.
Despite more students from lower socio-economic backgrounds accessing higher education than
ever before, getting a good degree is still not enough to secure a top graduate job that offers
career progression, 昀椀nancial stability and societal in昀氀uence.1
The 2023 State of the Nation Report identi昀椀es that those from higher-professional backgrounds
earn 18% more than those from lower working-class backgrounds who have the same level
of education.2
The research highlights a persistent income gap between individuals from different
socio-economic backgrounds. This underscores the need for personalised support to help young
people from lower socio-economic backgrounds access and sustain top graduate jobs and to
bridge the economic divide.
Associates at Slaughter and May Launch Event
1
2
CIPD (2022). What is the scale and impact of graduate overquali昀椀cation in the UK? London: Chartered Institute of
Personnel and Development.
Social Mobility Commission, (2023), State of the Nation: People and Places, p.181.
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