OUT ON 8 SEPTEMBER 2026
Author: Will Snell, Fairness Foundation CEO
Publisher: Policy Press
All royalties go to the Fairness Foundation
Price: £12.99
Format: Paperback (224 pages)
ISBN: 978-1447376200
Pre-order now
About the book
Britain is a grossly unfair country, disfigured by a broken social contract and unsustainable levels of inequality. This moral outrage presents a growing threat to our society, economy and democracy.
The Fair Necessities argues that unfair inequality undermines everything from faith in government to economic growth, yet a fairer country is within reach. Drawing on cutting-edge research and interviews with public figures, including including Vince Cable, Polly Toynbee and Liam Byrne, it sets out the moral, political and policy cases for tackling inequality and explains how to build a broad, cross-party consensus for a fairer society. Engaging, evidence-rich and ultimately hopeful, it offers the vision — and the practical roadmap — needed to rebuild Britain on fairer foundations.
Contents
- Introduction
- Starting points
- Equal opportunities or equal outcomes
- Reward, reciprocity and respect
- Looking at fairness in the round
- How fair is Britain today?
- How much do people care about fairness?
- Counting the costs of unfairness
- The building blocks of a fairer society
- Dismantling the barriers to fairness
- Conclusion
Reviews
“What is fairness, to which all sides of politics genuflect? Will Snell, one of the foremost thinkers of his generation, offers this – the most forensic, comprehensive and readable account you are likely to encounter. Read it. You will be surprised.” Will Hutton, President of the Academy of Social Sciences and author of The State We’re In
"Deft, clever, terse and precisely targeted. Will Snell’s book takes us from cradle to grave, demonstrating how inequality can be a risk to our societies as deadly as any pandemic and that unfair societies produce very extreme dangerous politics.” Professor Danny Dorling, University of Oxford
“A powerful and timely case for change. ’The Fair Necessities’ shows, with clarity and conviction, how inequality is eroding trust, growth and democracy - and sets out a practical path to rebuild a fairer Britain.” Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the House of Commons Select Committee on Business & Trade
“Will Snell brilliantly demonstrates that unfairness is not just a moral failure, but a strategic risk that poisons our democracy and drains our economy of its potential.” Professor Kate Pickett, University of York, co-author of The Spirit Level
“One of Britain's most important voices in the fight against growing inequality”. Gary Stevenson, YouTuber, author, economist and former financial trader
“A vitally important case for fairness, not just for its own sake but because unfairness is at the very centre of so many of our greatest threats.” Professor Bobby Duffy, Director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London
"A passionate account of why fairness matters, insightfully navigating disagreements about its demands in pursuit of the vision of a fairer society as a common good in divided times." Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future
“The evidence on how unfairness damages society and individuals is laid out eloquently, as are practical evidence-based solutions. A fairer society will benefit us all.” Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Director of the UCL Institute of Health Equity
"This book takes us right to the heart of everything wrong with the economy, politics and everyday life. Everyone knows Britain's gap in incomes and wealth is grotesque, but here is Will Snell's authoritative analysis of what can be done." Polly Toynbee, Guardian columnist
“Commentary on fairness and inequality is often nebulous or Utopian. By contrast, Will Snell’s book is rigorous, carefully argued and practical.” Vince Cable, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats
"As this highly accessible book demonstrates, inequality lies at the very heart of the problems of contemporary Britain. More importantly for progressives, it shows clearly how they can be overcome and a better future secured for us all." Mark Drakeford, Member of the Senedd and former First Minister of Wales
"Will factfully and thoughtfully offers a roadmap for a fairer Britain, where our fate is less determined by the wealth of our parents.” Ryan Shorthouse, Founder and Executive Chair of Bright Blue
About the author
Will Snell is the founding Chief Executive of the Fairness Foundation, which aims to change the debate about fairness in the UK and to encourage political leadership on tackling socio-economic inequality.
He is a non-profit entrepreneur with experience across a range of sectors. A graduate of the University of Oxford, he initially worked in government at the Department of Health and the Department for International Development. He then held senior roles at a global health NGO and a global tax reform think tank before setting up Tax Justice UK in 2017 and the Fairness Foundation in 2021.
Will was elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in 2023. He writes a weekly substack at faircomment.co.uk.
