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.
Gross Domestic Wellbeing is getting worse
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) tells us nothing about inequality or levels of societal wellbeing. Gross Domestic Wellbeing (GDWe) is an alternative framework for measuring social progress. This report has developed a single figure for GDWe in England, using ONS data, and compared it to GDP for the previous five years. It finds that wellbeing in England has been declining since before the pandemic, in contrast to rising levels of GDP, and has worsened further during the pandemic.
Children’s wellbeing is declining especially rapidly
The Children’s Society’s tenth annual Good Childhood Report finds that 7% of 10 to 15 year olds in the UK are not happy with their lives (306,000 children, up from 173,000 ten years earlier). The biggest causes of unhappiness for teenagers are school, friendships and how they feel about how they look. Teenagers are under increased pressure to meet high standards on both school achievement and their appearance, which is undermining their wellbeing in the present and also in the future.
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Benefits are falling in real terms
Benefits are falling in real terms
Children with special needs are not well enough supportedChildren with special needs are not well enough supported
Disadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunitiesDisadvantage undermines people’s capabilities and opportunities
Genetic differences only play a small part in determining educational outcomesGenetic differences only play a small part in determining educational outcomes
High levels of inequality lead to low levels of social mobilityHigh levels of inequality lead to low levels of social mobility
Higher levels of inequality make a wide range of social problems worse for everyoneHigher 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 lowLevels of trust and social cohesion are low
Levels of wellbeing are decliningLevels of wellbeing are declining
Many high earners are paid unreasonably large amounts of moneyMany 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 differenceParenting support only makes a small difference
People from poorer backgrounds are less likely to get to and do well at universityPeople from poorer backgrounds are less likely to get to and do well at university
People from poorer backgrounds do less well at schoolPeople from poorer backgrounds do less well at school
People from poorer backgrounds earn less moneyPeople from poorer backgrounds earn less money
Poor quality work undermines people’s physical and mental healthPoor quality work undermines people’s physical and mental health
Poorer people don’t have a buffer against economic shocksPoorer people don’t have a buffer against economic shocks
Public services are often worse in deprived areasPublic services are often worse in deprived areas
Socio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequalitySocio-economic inequality leads to environmental inequality
Socio-economic inequality leads to health inequalitiesSocio-economic inequality leads to health inequalities
Socio-economic inequality leads to more crime and less effective criminal justiceSocio-economic inequality leads to more crime and less effective criminal justice
Socio-economic inequality leads to political inequalitySocio-economic inequality leads to political inequality
The best way to become wealthy is to be wealthy alreadyThe best way to become wealthy is to be wealthy already
The education system can never totally compensate for disadvantageThe education system can never totally compensate for disadvantage
The nature of poverty is changingThe nature of poverty is changing
The rising costs of living hit poorer households harderThe rising costs of living hit poorer households harder
The structure of our economy leads to huge regional inequalitiesThe structure of our economy leads to huge regional inequalities
The tax system could be designed to be more progressiveThe tax system could be designed to be more progressive
There are still high levels of tax evasion and avoidanceThere are still high levels of tax evasion and avoidance
There is little relationship between merit and rewardThere is little relationship between merit and reward
Too many people are on low incomes and in insecure workToo many people are on low incomes and in insecure work
Wealth inequality is much larger than income inequalityWealth inequality is much larger than income inequality
Wealth is taxed at much lower rates than incomeWealth is taxed at much lower rates than income
