This page sets out some of the key arguments about the causes and consequences of the gaps highlighted in this section (including why they are unfair). It is not intended to be comprehensive. Click on a box to read the supporting arguments from highlighted third-party reports.
What are the causes of unfair rewards?
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](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F1f36b89f-c729-47b8-8449-858786032b9a.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
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](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F1f36b89f-c729-47b8-8449-858786032b9a.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
There is little relationship between merit and reward![There is little relationship between merit and reward](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F6d08feb1-6b82-4707-8694-6963a560f972.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
There is little relationship between merit and reward
![There is little relationship between merit and reward](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F6d08feb1-6b82-4707-8694-6963a560f972.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Too many people are on low incomes and in insecure work![Too many people are on low incomes and in insecure work](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Ffe9e7da9-3a57-4d51-88d5-8ac7cd19c577.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Too many people are on low incomes and in insecure work
![Too many people are on low incomes and in insecure work](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Ffe9e7da9-3a57-4d51-88d5-8ac7cd19c577.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Many high earners are paid unreasonably large amounts of money![Many high earners are paid unreasonably large amounts of money](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F452a5b08-1252-42ff-9039-431f19af5d44.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Many high earners are paid unreasonably large amounts of money
![Many high earners are paid unreasonably large amounts of money](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F452a5b08-1252-42ff-9039-431f19af5d44.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
What are the consequences of unfair rewards?
Socio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequality![Socio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequality](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F39ddb333-260d-4cc8-968d-979274837747.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Socio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequality
![Socio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequality](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F39ddb333-260d-4cc8-968d-979274837747.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Socio-economic inequality leads to more crime and less effective criminal justice![Socio-economic inequality leads to more crime and less effective criminal justice](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Ff8f223a7-1916-4af3-9778-8aa0c6b3ff73.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Socio-economic inequality leads to more crime and less effective criminal justice
![Socio-economic inequality leads to more crime and less effective criminal justice](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Ff8f223a7-1916-4af3-9778-8aa0c6b3ff73.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Socio-economic inequality leads to political inequality![Socio-economic inequality leads to political inequality](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fdfb642f8-e63b-47be-88d8-c8eb5e521c5c.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Socio-economic inequality leads to political inequality
![Socio-economic inequality leads to political inequality](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fdfb642f8-e63b-47be-88d8-c8eb5e521c5c.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Poor quality work undermines people’s physical and mental health![Poor quality work undermines people’s physical and mental health](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fbca331bc-458d-4816-8512-9acd8ec9b967.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Poor quality work undermines people’s physical and mental health
![Poor quality work undermines people’s physical and mental health](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fbca331bc-458d-4816-8512-9acd8ec9b967.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Socio-economic inequality leads to health inequalities![Socio-economic inequality leads to health inequalities](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F3bb9c576-12b5-435f-9337-7226c49a2754.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Socio-economic inequality leads to health inequalities
![Socio-economic inequality leads to health inequalities](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F3bb9c576-12b5-435f-9337-7226c49a2754.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
The best way to become wealthy is to be wealthy already![The best way to become wealthy is to be wealthy already](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fa5713e6a-fc12-44a8-8ee2-1da4b0f25f01.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
The best way to become wealthy is to be wealthy already
![The best way to become wealthy is to be wealthy already](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fa5713e6a-fc12-44a8-8ee2-1da4b0f25f01.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Poorer people don’t have a buffer against economic shocks![Poorer people don’t have a buffer against economic shocks](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F41895ae7-ea6a-4e83-86db-8b8779dec8cd.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Poorer people don’t have a buffer against economic shocks
![Poorer people don’t have a buffer against economic shocks](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F41895ae7-ea6a-4e83-86db-8b8779dec8cd.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Income inequality is high by historical and European standards ![Income inequality is high by historical and European standards](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fadcf68e9-c250-46f8-be17-3a74eecce06f.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Income inequality is high by historical and European standards
![Income inequality is high by historical and European standards](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fadcf68e9-c250-46f8-be17-3a74eecce06f.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality![Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fbee09413-20f4-49a7-b3a8-e06346dabd88.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality
![Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fbee09413-20f4-49a7-b3a8-e06346dabd88.jpg&w=1080&q=90)