The UK government is creating a new equalities unit focused on tackling class and socioeconomic inequality, with ministers placing particular attention on improving outcomes for disadvantaged working-class communities.

Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson announced the new initiative as part of a wider attempt to address persistent regional and social inequalities across Britain. The unit will examine disparities affecting different communities and advise ministers on how public services can deliver better outcomes.

A major focus will be the challenges facing white working-class people, particularly in areas where children and families have experienced poorer educational and economic outcomes. Ministers say the approach will also consider inequalities affecting other ethnic and disadvantaged groups rather than treating the issue as a competition between communities.

The government also plans to introduce a socioeconomic duty, requiring public bodies to consider how their decisions affect people on lower incomes. Changes to the way deprivation is measured could also influence how public funding is distributed.

The new unit follows the government's decision to abolish the Social Mobility Commission, which ministers argued had not been effective enough in shaping policy. The move puts greater emphasis on direct government action to tackle inequality.