Read more about wealth on the Fairness Foundation website
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Wealth
Wealth
Poverty
Poverty
Living standards
Living standards
Additional statistics
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Arguments
Browse all ‘substance’ arguments
Disadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunities
Disadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunities
High levels of inequality lead to low levels of social mobility
High levels of inequality lead to low levels of social mobility
Higher levels of inequality make a wide range of social problems worse for everyone
Higher levels of inequality make a wide range of social problems worse for everyone
Income inequality is high by historical and European standards 
Income inequality is high by historical and European standards
People from poorer backgrounds are less likely to get to and do well at university
People from poorer backgrounds are less likely to get to and do well at university
People from poorer backgrounds do less well at school
People from poorer backgrounds do less well at school
People from poorer backgrounds earn less money
People from poorer backgrounds earn less money
Poorer people don’t have a buffer against economic shocks
Poorer people don’t have a buffer against economic shocks
Public services are often worse in deprived areas
Public services are often worse in deprived areas
Socio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequality
Socio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequality
Socio-economic inequality leads to health inequalities
Socio-economic inequality leads to health inequalities
Socio-economic inequality leads to more crime and less effective criminal justice
Socio-economic inequality leads to more crime and less effective criminal justice
Socio-economic inequality leads to political inequality
Socio-economic inequality leads to political inequality
The best way to become wealthy is to be wealthy already
The best way to become wealthy is to be wealthy already
The education system can never totally compensate for disadvantage
The education system can never totally compensate for disadvantage
The nature of poverty is changing
The nature of poverty is changing
The rising costs of living hit poorer households harder
The rising costs of living hit poorer households harder
The structure of our economy leads to huge regional inequalities
The structure of our economy leads to huge regional inequalities
There is little relationship between merit and reward
There is little relationship between merit and reward
Too many people are on low incomes and in insecure work
Too many people are on low incomes and in insecure work
Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality
Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality
Wealth is taxed at much lower rates than income
Wealth is taxed at much lower rates than income
Cited policy reports or articles
Browse all cited publications
‘We are drowning in insecurity’: young people and life after the pandemic
Financial Times
‘We are drowning in insecurity’: young people and life after the pandemic
April 29, 2021
Financial TimesA wealth tax for the UK
London School of Economics
A wealth tax for the UK
December 9, 2020
London School of EconomicsArrears fears: The distribution of UK household wealth and the impact on families
Resolution Foundation
Arrears fears: The distribution of UK household wealth and the impact on families
July 20, 2022
Resolution FoundationChildcare costs and poverty
Childcare costs and poverty
Social Market Foundation
July 21, 2022
Social Market FoundationCost of living crisis: the UK needs to raise taxes not cut them – here's why
University of Essex
Cost of living crisis: the UK needs to raise taxes not cut them – here's why
August 22, 2022
University of EssexDavid Cameron, David Beckham, and the UK's social mobility problem
London School of Economics
David Cameron, David Beckham, and the UK's social mobility problem
January 4, 2019
London School of EconomicsEarly childhood inequalities
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Early childhood inequalities
June 23, 2022
Institute for Fiscal StudiesEconomic Insecurity and Voting Intention
University of Oxford
Economic Insecurity and Voting Intention
May 24, 2022
University of OxfordEthnicity and the heightened risk of very deep poverty
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Ethnicity and the heightened risk of very deep poverty
August 3, 2022
Joseph Rowntree FoundationFalling further behind: hardship among benefit capped families as prices rise
Child Poverty Action Group
Falling further behind: hardship among benefit capped families as prices rise
June 21, 2022
Child Poverty Action GroupGoing without: deepening poverty in the UK
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Going without: deepening poverty in the UK
July 25, 2022
Joseph Rowntree FoundationHigher education, career opportunities, and intergenerational inequality
University of Warwick
Higher education, career opportunities, and intergenerational inequality
October 13, 2016
University of WarwickHope to buy: The decline of youth home ownership
Resolution Foundation
Hope to buy: The decline of youth home ownership
December 2, 2021
Resolution FoundationHouse of Cards
Transparency International UK
House of Cards
July 5, 2021
Transparency International UKHow much tax do the rich really pay?
University of Warwick
How much tax do the rich really pay?
June 15, 2020
University of WarwickHow poverty affects people's decision-making processes
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
How poverty affects people's decision-making processes
February 1, 2017
Joseph Rowntree FoundationInequality can double the energy required to secure universal decent living
University of Leeds
Inequality can double the energy required to secure universal decent living
August 26, 2022
University of LeedsInheritances and inequality over the life cycle: what will they mean for younger generations?
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Inheritances and inequality over the life cycle: what will they mean for younger generations?
April 26, 2021
Institute for Fiscal StudiesLiving standards, poverty and inequality in the UK: 2022
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Living standards, poverty and inequality in the UK: 2022
July 14, 2022
Institute for Fiscal StudiesMeasuring Unfair Inequality: Reconciling Equality of Opportunity and Freedom from Poverty
University of Bristol
Measuring Unfair Inequality: Reconciling Equality of Opportunity and Freedom from Poverty
September 16, 2021
University of BristolNew research shows local economies losing £4.5 million a year to the poverty premium
Fair By Design
New research shows local economies losing £4.5 million a year to the poverty premium
June 22, 2022
Fair By DesignNot heating, eating or meeting bills: managing a cost of living crisis on a low income
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Not heating, eating or meeting bills: managing a cost of living crisis on a low income
June 29, 2022
Joseph Rowntree FoundationOfficial statistics underestimate wealth inequality in Britain
London School of Economics
Official statistics underestimate wealth inequality in Britain
January 7, 2022
London School of EconomicsOut of pocket: the places at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis
Centre for Cities
Out of pocket: the places at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis
July 14, 2022
Centre for CitiesOvercoming the liability of poorness: disadvantage, fragility, and the poverty entrepreneur
University of Notre Dame
Overcoming the liability of poorness: disadvantage, fragility, and the poverty entrepreneur
October 3, 2020
University of Notre DamePolitical Equality: What is it and why does it matter?
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Political Equality: What is it and why does it matter?
February 16, 2022
Institute for Fiscal StudiesPre-pandemic relative poverty rate for children of lone parents almost double that for children living with two parents
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Pre-pandemic relative poverty rate for children of lone parents almost double that for children living with two parents
July 4, 2022
Institute for Fiscal StudiesProsperity and justice
Institute for Public Policy Research
Prosperity and justice
September 5, 2018
Institute for Public Policy ResearchSocial Mobility: Past, Present and Future
Sutton Trust
Social Mobility: Past, Present and Future
June 1, 2022
Sutton TrustSources of wealth and their implications for taxation
Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Sources of wealth and their implications for taxation
October 30, 2020
Tony Blair Institute for Global ChangeStagnation nation: Navigating a route to a fairer and more prosperous Britain
Resolution Foundation
Stagnation nation: Navigating a route to a fairer and more prosperous Britain
July 13, 2022
Resolution FoundationThe effect of taxes and benefits on UK inequality
Institute for Fiscal Studies
The effect of taxes and benefits on UK inequality
May 27, 2019
Institute for Fiscal StudiesThe Living Standards Audit 2022
Resolution Foundation
The Living Standards Audit 2022
July 4, 2022
Resolution FoundationThe myth of meritocracy: who really gets what they deserve?
The myth of meritocracy: who really gets what they deserve?
October 19, 2018
The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better
Equality Trust
The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better
March 5, 2009
Equality TrustTime for parents
Nuffield Foundation
Time for parents
May 26, 2022
Nuffield FoundationUnequal pandemic, fairer recovery
Health Foundation
Unequal pandemic, fairer recovery
July 6, 2021
Health FoundationUniversities and Social Mobility
Sutton TrustInstitute for Fiscal Studies
Universities and Social Mobility
November 24, 2021
Sutton TrustInstitute for Fiscal StudiesWe need to challenge the myth that the rich are specially-talented wealth creators
London School of Economics
We need to challenge the myth that the rich are specially-talented wealth creators
January 27, 2015
London School of EconomicsWhy do wealthy parents have wealthy children?
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Why do wealthy parents have wealthy children?
September 8, 2021
Institute for Fiscal StudiesWhy free school meal recipients earn less than their peers
Office for National Statistics
Why free school meal recipients earn less than their peers
August 4, 2022
Office for National StatisticsCited attitudinal and framing research
Browse all attitudinal research
60 per cent of Brits on £80,000-100,000 say they’re “about average”
New Statesman
60 per cent of Brits on £80,000-100,000 say they’re “about average”
July 4, 2022
New StatesmanA Puzzling Inheritance
University of Oxford
A Puzzling Inheritance
January 27, 2023
University of OxfordBritons and the Cost of Living - May 2023
More in Common
Britons and the Cost of Living - May 2023
May 16, 2023
More in CommonBrits back an annual tax on the super rich to help rebuild the NHS and public services
Tax Justice UK
Brits back an annual tax on the super rich to help rebuild the NHS and public services
March 13, 2023
Tax Justice UKConnecting the climate and cost of living crises: new research
On Road Media
Connecting the climate and cost of living crises: new research
October 13, 2022
On Road MediaEconomic Insecurity and Voting IntentionUniversity of Oxford
Economic Insecurity and Voting Intention
May 24, 2022
University of OxfordFraming the economy
Frameworks UK
New Economics Foundation
Public Interest Research Centre
New Economy Organisers Network
Framing the economy
February 15, 2018
Frameworks UKNew Economics FoundationPublic Interest Research CentreNew Economy Organisers NetworkFraming toolkit: Talking about poverty
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Framing toolkit: Talking about poverty
March 14, 2019
Joseph Rowntree FoundationIs there a public consensus on what it means to be rich?
Trust for London
Is there a public consensus on what it means to be rich?
February 14, 2020
Trust for LondonJust Deserts? Attitudes to Fairness, Poverty and Welfare Reform
Policy Exchange
Just Deserts? Attitudes to Fairness, Poverty and Welfare Reform
April 24, 2011
Policy ExchangeNew data shows food insecurity major challenge to levelling up agenda
Food Foundation
New data shows food insecurity major challenge to levelling up agenda
February 7, 2022
Food FoundationNEW POLL: Wealthiest 6 percent of Brits support a wealth tax
Patriotic Millionaires
NEW POLL: Wealthiest 6 percent of Brits support a wealth tax
March 13, 2023
Patriotic MillionairesPoverty and public demand for redistribution
University of Oxford
Poverty and public demand for redistribution
April 24, 2023
University of OxfordPublic attitudes to economic inequality
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Public attitudes to economic inequality
July 17, 2007
Joseph Rowntree FoundationPublic Attitudes to poverty
Engage Britain
Public Attitudes to poverty
December 22, 2022
Engage BritainPublic attitudes towards poverty
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Public attitudes towards poverty
September 28, 2014
Joseph Rowntree FoundationRethinking poverty: What makes a good society?
Rethinking Poverty
Rethinking poverty: What makes a good society?
October 6, 2017
Rethinking PovertyStepping up: public attitudes to addressing the cost of living crisis
Bright Blue
Stepping up: public attitudes to addressing the cost of living crisis
April 8, 2022
Bright BlueTalking about poverty: how experts and the public understand UK poverty
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Talking about poverty: how experts and the public understand UK poverty
November 18, 2016
Joseph Rowntree FoundationTalking about poverty: Lessons learnt
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Talking about poverty: Lessons learnt
January 25, 2023
Joseph Rowntree FoundationThe Inheritance Tax Puzzle: Challenging assumptions about public attitudes to inheritance
Demos
The Inheritance Tax Puzzle: Challenging assumptions about public attitudes to inheritance
June 14, 2023
DemosThe long shadow of the cost of living emergency
Carnegie UK
The long shadow of the cost of living emergency
April 27, 2023
Carnegie UKThe Society We Want
Rethinking Poverty
The Society We Want
March 1, 2015
Rethinking PovertyUnderstanding attitudes to tackling economic inequality
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Understanding attitudes to tackling economic inequality
June 22, 2009
Joseph Rowntree FoundationStories from partner organisations
Browse all stories
British children in poverty with no beds to sleep in or clean clothes to wear
Channel 4
British children in poverty with no beds to sleep in or clean clothes to wear
This documentary explores how cuts to children's services are affecting the poorest families and disrupting their children’s education
Channel 4I don’t know how my school would function without teaching assistants
Guardian
I don’t know how my school would function without teaching assistants
Southampton headteacher Sian Carr talks about the impact of the cost of living crisis on teaching assistants
GuardianNHS nurse and single mum living on just £24 a week after bills
Wales Online
NHS nurse and single mum living on just £24 a week after bills
Heather says she has to take on extra shifts rather than spend time with her children, even working during her holiday
Wales OnlineIf my rent goes for one month without being paid, then I’m homeless
Shelter
If my rent goes for one month without being paid, then I’m homeless
Joanna talks about how her monthly paycheque is not enough to cover her rent, food, bills and other family essentials
ShelterI didn’t know how I was going to pay my bills or feed myself and my daughter
Trussell Trust
I didn’t know how I was going to pay my bills or feed myself and my daughter
Aneita talks about how a problem with her tax credits meant she was forced to use a food bank
Trussell TrustThe cost for our daughter to attend nursery is more than our mortgage
Sutton Trust
The cost for our daughter to attend nursery is more than our mortgage
Megan talks about how, although she is training full-time as a midwife, she only gets 15 hours of free childcare per week
Sutton TrustI made money by betting inequality was going to destroy our economy
Gary's Economics
I made money by betting inequality was going to destroy our economy
City trader turned campaigner Gary Stevenson on how our current economic system is broken, and rewards speculation
Gary's EconomicsIf you grow up in poverty, there are so many more things against you
End Child Poverty
If you grow up in poverty, there are so many more things against you
Two friends, Amelia and Naomi, share their different experiences of poverty and the impact it has had on them
End Child PovertyWhy should someone who is in a really vulnerable position pay more?
Fair By Design
Why should someone who is in a really vulnerable position pay more?
Paulette describes her experiences of living with the poverty premium by paying additional costs for a prepayment meter
Fair By DesignBrowse other issues
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