Social and economic differences between communities present a challenging picture around the country, that show inequalities rising in terms of productivity, employment and household incomes.

The government’s “levelling up” agenda is aimed at improving places that have historically experienced relatively low growth, stagnation or decline as well as stimulate relatively more dynamic places.

But what will happen when the economic recession from the Covid-19 crisis further increases differences between places in the UK?

In theory, as some places decline and others grow, people and businesses move from one to another – but the depth and persistence of spatial disparities suggest that geographical mobility is not working as expected. The evidence suggests a slow long-term decline in geographical mobility. With a new immigration policy, places will become even more dependent on retaining and attracting talent.

Understanding geographic mobility is important for economic development, wellbeing, climate change, social integration and managing an ageing society, so Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study, and the Centre for Cities combined forces to organise a virtual event on this strategic issue.

Download the presentations

• Access to transport, commuting and life opportunities Kiron Chatterjee, University of the West of England
• Education, employment and family motives Michael Thomas, Statistics Norway
• Geographical mobility and access to transport Ian Shuttleworth, Queen’s University Belfast

Additional information:

• Understanding Society Briefing on geographical mobility
• How do job search methods affect the regional mobility of unemployed workers? A new career in a new town by Morescalchi
• How can I access Understanding Society Data? It is public access data and  distributed through the UK Data Service.
• What content does Understanding Society cover and when are these topics asked? Have a look at the Long-term Content Plan
• Geographical data linkage: this information sets out current geographical data linkage possibilities with the data collected from individuals and households.

This event is in partnership with: