This page contains a selection of third-party reports that provide evidence to support the argument above. It is not intended to be comprehensive. The sections of text below summarise relevant arguments from the reports cited. Click on the relevant report card to read the original report.
The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better
The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better
March 5, 2009
Health and social problems are worse in more unequal countries
Economic inequality is bad not only for the poor but for everyone in society. Where inequality has flourished in order to drive up economic growth, the result has been worse outcomes for everyone. For example, more equal countries see higher levels of child wellbeing, trust, life expectancy and educational scores. More unequal countries see higher levels of problems such as mental illness, drug use, infant mortality, obesity, murder and imprisonment.
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Benefits are falling in real terms
Benefits are falling in real terms
Children with special needs are not well enough supported
Children with special needs are not well enough supported
Disadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunities
Disadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunities
Genetic differences only play a small part in determining educational outcomes
Genetic differences only play a small part in determining educational outcomes
High levels of inequality lead to low levels of social mobility
High levels of inequality lead to low levels of social mobility
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
Income inequality is high by historical and European standards
Income inequality is high by historical and European standards
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
Many high earners are paid unreasonably large amounts of money
Many high earners are paid unreasonably large amounts of money
Millions are unable to afford decent housing
Millions are unable to afford decent housing
Parenting support only makes a small difference
Parenting support only makes a small difference
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 do less well at school
People from poorer backgrounds do less well at school
People from poorer backgrounds earn less money
People from poorer backgrounds earn less money
Poor quality work undermines people’s physical and mental health
Poor quality work undermines people’s physical and mental health
Poorer people don’t have a buffer against economic shocks
Poorer people don’t have a buffer against economic shocks
Public services are often worse in deprived areas
Public services are often worse in deprived areas
Socio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequality
Socio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequality
Socio-economic inequality leads to health inequalities
Socio-economic inequality leads to health inequalities
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
The best way to become wealthy is to be wealthy already
The best way to become wealthy is to be wealthy already
The education system can never totally compensate for disadvantage
The education system can never totally compensate for disadvantage
The nature of poverty is changing
The nature of poverty is changing
The rising costs of living hit poorer households harder
The rising costs of living hit poorer households harder
The structure of our economy leads to huge regional inequalities
The structure of our economy leads to huge regional inequalities
The tax system could be designed to be more progressive
The tax system could be designed to be more progressive
There are still high levels of tax evasion and avoidance
There are still high levels of tax evasion and avoidance
There is little relationship between merit and reward
There is little relationship between merit and reward
Too many people are on low incomes and in insecure work
Too many people are on low incomes and in insecure work
Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality
Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequality
Wealth is taxed at much lower rates than income
Wealth is taxed at much lower rates than income
