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
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
Disadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunities
Disadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunities
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
High levels of inequality lead to low levels of social mobility
High levels of inequality lead to low levels of social mobility
Too many people are on low incomes and in insecure work
Too many people are on low incomes and in insecure work
Many high earners are paid unreasonably large amounts of money
Many high earners are paid unreasonably large amounts of money
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
Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality
Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality
What are the consequences of unfair treatment?
Socio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequality
Socio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequality
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
Socio-economic inequality leads to health inequalities
Socio-economic inequality leads to health inequalities
