Social mobility is linked to social cohesion in a number of complex ways. In essence it

concerns social fairness and is a measure of how equal economic opportunities or life

chances are, and how a society transforms principles of equal opportunity into reality.

Intergenerational mobility of income or socio-economic status demonstrates the real

extent to which equality exists in a society. A more cohesive society is one where people

are not divided on socio-economic or other grounds, citizens accept that the division of

rewards is fair and everyone has equal starting points in life.

This study examines the factors influencing social mobility and policies which might be

put in place to facilitate it, in particular those concerning welfare services, child care, the

education system, career structures and labour-market services.