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
People from poorer backgrounds earn less money
People from poorer backgrounds earn less money
Millions are unable to afford decent housing 
Millions are unable to afford decent housing
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
Public services are often worse in deprived areas
Public services are often worse in deprived areas
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
Wealth is taxed at much lower rates than income
Wealth is taxed at much lower rates than income
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
The nature of poverty is changing
The nature of poverty is changing
Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality
Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality
What are the consequences of unfair treatment?
Levels of trust and social cohesion are low
Levels of trust and social cohesion are low
Levels of wellbeing are declining
Levels of wellbeing are declining
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
Explore the substance for other fair necessities
Explore the context for fair treatment
Statistics
Statistics
Substance
Substance
Stories
Stories
Surveys
Surveys
Solutions
Solutions
Explore the fair treatment indicators
Carbon emissions
Carbon emissions
Voice
Voice
Fair treatment
Fair treatment
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