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 treatment?
People from poorer backgrounds do less well at school![People from poorer backgrounds do less well at school](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F6af121b3-27e9-47df-9683-3499560ab9b5.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
People from poorer backgrounds do less well at school
![People from poorer backgrounds do less well at school](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F6af121b3-27e9-47df-9683-3499560ab9b5.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)
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)
Disadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunities![Disadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunities](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fe6aad3b2-7329-4532-b0f6-ea1b9958f299.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Disadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunities
![Disadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunities](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fe6aad3b2-7329-4532-b0f6-ea1b9958f299.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
The structure of our economy leads to huge regional inequalities![The structure of our economy leads to huge regional inequalities](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fed22cc40-9eb9-4d74-b2ad-968725f190d2.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
The structure of our economy leads to huge regional inequalities
![The structure of our economy leads to huge regional inequalities](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fed22cc40-9eb9-4d74-b2ad-968725f190d2.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)
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)
What are the consequences of unfair treatment?
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)
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)