This page sets out some of the key arguments about the causes and consequences of the gaps highlighted in this index (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.
All cited publications
Children with special needs are not well enough supported![Children with special needs are not well enough supported](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F1d51ce0a-d602-4245-a97b-339c076c0303.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Children with special needs are not well enough supported
![Children with special needs are not well enough supported](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F1d51ce0a-d602-4245-a97b-339c076c0303.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)
Genetic differences only play a small part in determining educational outcomes![Genetic differences only play a small part in determining educational outcomes](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F9a0b9c38-94ef-453d-9616-c63adb2c7b59.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
Genetic differences only play a small part in determining educational outcomes
![Genetic differences only play a small part in determining educational outcomes](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F9a0b9c38-94ef-453d-9616-c63adb2c7b59.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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 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)
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)
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)
The education system can never totally compensate for disadvantage![The education system can never totally compensate for disadvantage](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Ffb679bb4-62aa-4e7d-920b-32bbaad48792.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
The education system can never totally compensate for disadvantage
![The education system can never totally compensate for disadvantage](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Ffb679bb4-62aa-4e7d-920b-32bbaad48792.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
The rising costs of living hit poorer households harder![The rising costs of living hit poorer households harder](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fa7b31dde-c544-415b-8ad4-517e61f20c63.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
The rising costs of living hit poorer households harder
![The rising costs of living hit poorer households harder](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fa7b31dde-c544-415b-8ad4-517e61f20c63.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)
The tax system could be designed to be more progressive![The tax system could be designed to be more progressive](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fed5422b4-593b-41fa-b0aa-55925910d44b.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
The tax system could be designed to be more progressive
![The tax system could be designed to be more progressive](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2Fed5422b4-593b-41fa-b0aa-55925910d44b.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
There are still high levels of tax evasion and avoidance![There are still high levels of tax evasion and avoidance](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F36c00267-0c06-4089-bc35-af772b6b446c.jpg&w=1080&q=90)
There are still high levels of tax evasion and avoidance
![There are still high levels of tax evasion and avoidance](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.super.so%2F03f51344-31a4-4cd4-8699-526fe796a0ee%2Fimages%2F36c00267-0c06-4089-bc35-af772b6b446c.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)
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)