YOUNG Muslims living in the UK are facing enormous social mobility barriers, new research has shown.

There are significant barriers to improved social mobility for Muslims who, despite being more likely to succeed in education, experience the greatest economic disadvantages of any faith group in the UK.

A report by the Social Mobility Commission found many had experienced Islamophobia, discrimination and racism while women faced ‘deep cultural challenges to advance in work’.

The study was based on focus groups and interviews carried out by Sheffield Hallam University.

It found only one in five of the Muslim population is in work compared to one in three of the overall population while 18 per cent of Muslim women are recorded as ‘looking after home and family’ compared with six per cent overall.

Nearly half of the population live in the 10 per cent most deprived districts.

Abdul Hamid Qureshi, chairman of Lancashire Council of Mosques, said there is a climate against Muslims with people associating practising Muslims with extremists.

He said: “Employers are more cautious and in the area where we are it is even more difficult because there are less opportunities.

“It is hard for everybody but much more for an educated Muslim person.”

Faz Patel, a Community Cohesion advisor who mentors youngsters, said they do feel there is a barrier particularly since terrorist attacks.

He said: “It is hard for them to get a job and I know young people who are highly qualified but end up working in takeaways.

“The government and public services are trying their best to make sure people do not face discrimination but it is going to take some time.”

Bushra Ghasoor, 31, from Blackburn, said she has had to take a job in Dubai after struggling to find employment in the UK despite having two undergraduate and a post-graduate degree.

She said: “I was applying for corporate positions and getting interviews but not getting further.

“I looked abroad and was amazed at how quickly I found something.”

Those interviewed said they felt that they had to work 10 times harder as non-Muslims to get the same opportunities while others reported discrimination in the recruitment process and in the workplace.

It said some issues were worse for women with parents having different expectations for boys and girls with boys being given more freedom.