Equality Trust Blogs

The Spirit Level shortlisted for Book Prize

Kathryn Busby — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:14:00 +0000

The Spirit Level by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett has been shortlisted for the Bristol Festival of Ideas second annual book prize.

Currently one of the largest book prizes in the UK, the award will be given to the book, first published in 2009, which presents new, important and challenging ideas, and which is engaging, accessible and rigorously argued. A final shortlist of six books has now been revealed, and the winner of this year’s prize will be announced live at a special Book Prize Awards Ceremony as part of our May Festival.

www.ideasfestival.co.uk
The other books on the shortlist are A Face to the World by Laura Cumming, When China Rules the World by Martin Jacques, The Master and his Emissary by Iain McGilchrist, Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo and The Idea of Justice by Amartya Sen.

The paperback edition of The Spirit Level is out now.

House of Lords retains socio-economic duty

Bill Kerry — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:33:43 +0000

We are delighted that the public sector socio-economic duty in the Equality Bill has been retained by the House of Lords. The Equality Trust, along with others, has campaigned hard to keep it in and provided briefings to all the Lords earlier in the legislative process which, we believe, had some influence.

Whilst not perfect the duty does have symbolic importance and, hopefully, will have some practical impact as well. In the words of Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, who spoke in the debate against the amendment:

"There was much debate in Committee about whether the Government should be tackling the outcomes or causes of socio-economic disadvantage. To be clear, we are trying to break the cycle of deprivation, where the effects-the outcomes of past disadvantage such as childhood poverty, poor educational achievement, poor housing and health et cetera-become the causes of future disadvantage and inequality. This duty will help us to break that cycle. We have made clear in the wording of the duty that we want to see real change with tangible, measurable outcomes."

Green Party commits to radical wage differential policy

Bill Kerry — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:15:48 +0000

We are delighted to report that the Green Party Spring Conference, held over the recent weekend, passed resolution WR362 overwhelmingly. It reads as follows:

"Recognising that income inequality underlies and fuels most of the social problems confronting us in Britain today we propose that in all undertakings, the maximum wage paid to any member of staff should not exceed ten times that paid (pro rata) to the lowest paid worker. In addition, no member of staff in an organisation should receive an annual bonus exceeding the annual wage of the lowest paid worker in that organisation."

This is encouraging news. We already know that the three main parties are addressing the issue of inequality and you can find out more about how they intend to do this on the One Society website.

It is becoming clear to us that there is increasing recognition that the only fundamental and far-reaching way to improve our society is to tackle the UK's chronic inequality, our yawning and shameful gap between rich and poor. The Equality Trust calls on all political parties to prioritise this issue and to continue to place it centre stage in the forthcoming general election campaign.

A message from the North-East Equality Group

Kathryn Busby — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:52:25 +0000

Guest post from Geoff Holmes

"I have recently taken on the initial co-ordination of a North-East Group, based loosely on Newcastle-upon-Tyne, but extending throughout the region. My experience to date confirms that there is genuine strength in The Equality Trust and quality in the support they offer to affiliated groups such as ours.

It seems to me essential that the positive evidence-based messages of The Spirit Level are disseminated as widely as possible. However, I don't underestimate the degree of crowding that already exists in those areas of communication and influence which Equality Trust groups are entering. This and other considerations, not least geographical ones, will help to inform what I hope will be innovative approaches by the North-East Group.

Clearly there is an urgent need for bold corrective policies to deal with the extreme income inequality which blights our society to the detriment of all. This is a key debate both in the lead up to the general election and beyond.

Like the other groups I am aware that there is a lot of ground to cover and that changing attitudes and perceptions let alone behaviour are substantial challenges. Wherever you are in the north-east, if you would like to engage in this work, whether or not you have much time to give to it, please send me an email at equalitytrustne@btinternet.com or contact Kathryn in The Equality Trust office. Even if you wish to do no more than receive regional news via email please understand that by making contact you will be boosting the confidence of the Group.

STOP PRESS

The authors of The Spirit Level are giving a seminar in Newcastle on 24^th March from 5.00pm to 7.30pm. To book your place, please contact: Charlotte Branch on hs.hcesevents@northumbria.ac.uk

This Saturday: Kate Pickett addresses Green Party conference

Kathryn Busby — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:29:21 +0000

This Saturday, 20th February, Kate Pickett will take part in a plenary session on Equalities at the Green Party spring conference, speaking alongside Caroline Lucas and Will Hutton.

Join us from 2pm - 3.20pm on Saturday at the Arts Depot in London, and why not stop by the Equality Trust and One Society stall in the foyer, where Kate will be signing books after the plenary.

Further information (including entry prices) from the Green Party website.

Co-operatives: why not in all sectors of the economy?

Bill Kerry — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:26:54 +0000

It is pleasing yet baffling that the Conservatives wish to promote the use of co-operatives in the public sector. Pleasing because it recognises the economic and social benefits co-operatives can bring to employees and service-users alike - baffling because nothing was said about promoting them in the private sector. I cannot see that co-operation is a divisible principle - if its superiority is conceded in one sector of the economy why not in all sectors?

I sincerely hope this is the Conservatives "toe-dipping" into new and progressive policy areas and, if so, that is to be welcomed. However, if it is more about a circuitous route to reduce levels of pay and conditions in the public sector, justified by warm sounding sound words such as "autonomy", "empowerment" and "choice", then it will be a massive missed opportunity. One key point to focus on will be whether the new public sector co-operatives have an effective asset-lock that prevents onward sale to private interests. The trade unions are already suspicious that this initiative is purely ideological and is really about the break up of the public sector.

The Equality Trust calls on all political parties to develop policies to extend all forms of economic democracy including mutuals, co-operatives and employee-owned businesses throughout our society. We need to transform our competitive economy into a co-operative economy.

If we place our economic activity under the democratic control of the people who work in, use, or are affected by the institutions, companies and organisations that make up our economic and social life we can tackle, at source, the gross pay disparities that fuel the UK’s huge gap between rich and poor. By doing so we will be tackling the social and environmental problems that face us all in a truly fundamental and deep-rooted manner - one that goes far beyond timid and easily reversible government policies based on traditional tax and spend.

The Conservative proposals may be limited and leave many questions open but it is now up to the other parties to respond with far-reaching policies of their own rather than with ritual denunciations.

Support the Robin Hood tax!

Bill Kerry — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:32:51 +0000

The Equality Trust supports the proposed Financial Transactions Tax (the "Robin Hood tax") and calls on all our supporters - and all visitors to this site - to do the same. It may not be the whole answer but it is a welcome recognition of the correctness and need for a sustained re-distribution of resources from rich to poor.

The Equality Trust calls on the general public and politicians of all parties to campaign for progressive taxes as part of the policy solutions needed to narrow the gap between rich and poor. This is not an abstract demand. The reason we need to create a more equal society is to create the healthier, more cohesive and sustainable society we all want to live in.

London equality group website is live!

Kathryn Busby — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:54:55 +0000

Find out more about the London equality group: http://londonequality.org.uk/index.php

See the size of the gap between rich and poor

Kathryn Busby — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:29:03 +0000

Church Action on Poverty have produced a helpful new resource for anyone campaigning on inequality: a chart showing the scale of the gap between rich and poor in the UK.

Printed on sheets of A4, each sheet represents £100,000 of income. Symbols represent people on various income levels. It illustrates dramatically the gap between the UK's richest and poorest people. While 90% of the population only earn enough to get halfway up the first page, the very richest people are 30 pages away.

Download the chart here

Michael Marmot: income inequality has gone too far

Kathryn Busby — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:33:28 +0000

Michael Marmot's review of health inequalities Fair Society Healthy Lives is published today, with recommendations including progressive taxation to help reduce income inequality and improve health for everyone.

Listen to Michael Marmot on R4 Today Programme commenting:

...we do think that the amount of income inequality in society has gone too far, and we're supported in that view by the vast majority of the British population who also think income inequality has gone too far.... redistribution of income has to be part of [the solution]

A few interesting quotes from the report Fair Society Healthy Lives (page numbers refer to the Executive Summary):

Creating a fairer society is fundamental to improving the health of the whole population. [p10]

A debate about how to close the health gap has to be a debate about what sort of society people want. [p11]

The implications of the social gradient in health are profound. It is tempting to focus limited resources on those in most need. But we are all in need – all of us beneath the very best-off. If the focus were on the very bottom and social action were successful in improving the plight of the worst-off, what would happen to those just above the bottom, or at the median, who have worse health than those above them? All must be included in actions to create a fairer society. [p11]

Economic growth without reducing relative inequality will not reduce health inequalities. The economic growth of the last 30 years has not narrowed income inequalities. And although there is far more to inequality than just income, income is linked to life chances in a number of salient ways. As Amartya Sen has argued, income inequalities affect the lives people are able to lead. A fair society would give people more equal freedom to lead flourishing lives. [p12]

...... a more progressive tax system is needed, one that includes the direct and indirect incomes that make up a person’s income. [p22]

The double-dip: inequality and the recession's impact on young people

Kathryn Busby — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:59:52 +0000

One Society Media Release – 8 February 2010

One Society is a new campaign, set up in association with The Equality Trust, to highlight the negative effects of income inequality, showcase research and policy solutions, and bring together people and organisations in support of a more equal society.

The double-dip: inequality and the recession's impact on young people

·         joint statement by trade unions, charities and youth wings of parties

·         launch of One Society – campaign to tackle income inequality

·         policy recommendations to be published tomorrow, with Demos

Major organisations representing or working with young people have joined together with campaign group One Society to call for a more equal society. Social welfare charities, NUS and the youth wings of a range of trade unions and parties are calling for policies that would close the gap between rich and poor. Reducing income inequality would improve social mobility and the quality of life for all young people, across the social spectrum.

The joint letter (available at www.onesociety.org.uk) is a response to the recent National Equality Panel’s report, and to the continuing economic challenges facing young people. The letter highlights how the young are disproportionately bearing the costs of the recession and recovery, especially compared with those at the top whose have seen their incomes and wealth vastly increase over the past thirty years.

The letter has been co-ordinated by One Society – a new campaign (officially launched this week) to highlight the negative effects of income inequality and promote policies which would narrow the gap between rich and poor.

Tomorrow, 9 February, Demos publishes three One Society pamphlets which recommend a major set of policy proposals to tackle inequality. One Society will be using this menu of policy options to show that a more equal society is possible, plausible and credible – there are different routes to get there, and significant steps can be made by politicians straight away.

Malcolm Clark, One Society’s campaign director, said:

“Income inequality matters. Young people, already hit hard by the recession and bearing the costs of the recovery, are doubly disadvantaged as they have come of age in a more unequal society than previous generations. The good news is that inequality is not inevitable, and can be reversed. Government policy can make a big difference. That is why a wide range of different organisations have joined calls for politicians of all parties to quickly get to grips with the issue and implement policies that will close the gap.”

“Young people want to live in a cohesive society which enables them to fulfill their potential and benefits all - the One Society that we’d all like to be part of.”

Media Contacts:

Malcolm Clark, campaign director of One Society, can be contacted on (t) 020 7922 7921 (m) 07733322148, by email malcolm@onesociety.org.uk or via Twitter @One_Society

Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, authors of The Spirit Level, are also available for comment and interview. To arrange please contact The Equality Trust – 020 7922 7927 / kathryn.busby@equalitytrust.org.uk

Notes to editors:

1.    One Society is a new campaign, set up in association with The Equality Trust, to highlight the negative effects of income inequality, showcase research and policy solutions, and bring together people and organisations in support of a more equal society.

2.   One Society believes that a larger divide, in wealth and power, between those at the very top and the rest of society is damaging to national well being. More equal societies work better for everyone; not just those at the bottom but right the way up: we all benefit.

3.    Demos has published three One Society pamphlets making a case for why addressing inequality is important for the three main political parties.

4.    The pamphlets will be launched on Tuesday 9th February in the House of Commons. Speaking at the event Politics of Fairness: Equality in the UK are David Willetts MP, Jon Cruddas MP, David Laws MP and Richard Wilkinson, author of The Spirit Level. For further information please contact events@demos.co.uk.

5.     Compelling evidence shows that large income inequalities within societies damage the social fabric and quality of life for everyone. The evidence is published in Richard Wilkinson & Kate Pickett's book The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better. The paperback edition has just been published.

The Statement:

The National Equality Panel’s report published at the end of January confirmed what young people experience in their daily lives: a struggle to fulfil their potential and overcome the physical, social and psychological barriers that a more unequal society presents.The impact of the recession, disproportionately borne by the young, has exacerbated the damaging effects of growing up in a society marked by an increased and persisting gap between rich and poor. Employment, internships and now even higher education opportunities are becomingly increasingly difficult to access. Our backgrounds embed “deep seated and systematic differences” which can prevent many from fulfilling their potential. The negative effects of inequality are felt beyond any one class or section of society: mental and physical health problems are widespread; crime, bullying, and lack of trust affect many young people.

These issues cannot be tackled in isolation. Last week’s report is a reminder that the answer to lessening inequality is not confined to helping those at the bottom while those at the top are left to accrue ever-larger salaries and wealth. The people that hold most responsibility for the recession should be bearing the costs of recovery. The same principle should also apply to those whose incomes rose disproportionately over the past thirty years compared to the rest of society.

If we are to succeed in tackling the big challenges this country faces, we need to rebuild a society that is cohesive, resilient and benefits all - the One Society that we’d like to be part of. The report made clear that income inequality matters, is not inevitable, and can be reversed. That is why we are calling for politicians to act now and put in place policies that will close the gap between rich and poor.

Signed:

Matt Dykes, TUC (youth policy officer)
Susan Nash, NUS (vice-president, society and citizenship)
Liam Purcell, Church Action on Poverty (communications manager)
Jane Slowey, Foyer Federation (chief executive)
Patrick Vernon, Afiya Trust (chief executive)
Titus Alexander, Novas Scarman Group (head of learning and campaigns)
Emma Corbett, social worker
David Babbs, 38 Degrees
Noel Hatch, Compass Youth (chair)
Dominic Potter, Internocracy (director)
Max Freedman, Unite parliamentary branch (chair)
Sam Tarry, Young Labour (chair)
Joe Rinaldi Johnson, Liberal Youth (vice-chair, communications)
Joseph Russo, Co-operative Party Youth (secretary)
Rowenna Davis, freelance journalist
Ben Little, lecturer, Middlesex University

The Spirit Level paperback - published today

Kathryn Busby — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:57:16 +0000

The paperback edition of The Spirit Level is out now.

BUY THE UK PAPERBACK

What people have said about The Spirit Level:

"A compass to rebuild our societies…..a shining vision” Johann Hari, Independent

"Brave and imaginative ...a far-reaching analysis" Michael Sargent, Nature

"Has been making policy waves on both sides of the Atlantic" Julian le Grand, Prospect

“It is a sweeping claim, yet the evidence, here painstakingly marshalled, is hard to dispute”
The Economist

“This is a book with a big idea, big enough to change political thinking” Sunday Times

“It’s impossible to overstate the implications of (this) thesis ...brave ...transformative ...its conclusion is simple: we do better when we're equal” Lynsey Hanley, Guardian

Apply now for PhD studentship: Child Wellbeing and Inequality

Kathryn Busby — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:51:59 +0000

Social Gradients of Child Wellbeing in Relation to Inequality

A three-year full-time PhD studentship, based within an established research group in the University of York’s Department of Health Sciences. This ESRC studentship willl include a yearly stipend (currently £13,290), as well as course fees and research expenses. The stipend will be based on 2010/2011 research council rates.

The successful applicant will participate in the PhD Programme in Health Sciences at the University of York and will be supervised by Professor Kate Pickett, potentially in collaboration with members of INIRCH (the International Collaboration for Research on Child Inequalities in Health).

Closing date for applications is 26th February 2010. Interviews will be held in the first week of March.

For more information please visit the University of York's website.

The 3-minute Spirit Level... animated with puppets!

Kathryn Busby — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:34:24 +0000

Supporter Jon Levene aka babycakes romero has produced this brilliant 3 minute animation to promote The Spirit Level, which is out now in paperback

Please send it to everyone you know!

[youtube:jsEZr3s1aBA]

Richard Wilkinson on Today programme BBC Radio 4

Kathryn Busby — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:21:19 +0000

This morning Richard Wilkinson appeared on BBC R4's Today with Michael Gove MP, the Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.

Michael Gove commented that The Spirit Level provides a "fantastic analysis" of social trends and has "informed some of [Conservative] thinking on social policy".

Listen to the discussion

Ideas in place of fear: reducing inequality and fermenting justice

Kathryn Busby — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:54:41 +0000

Read the new Compass Thinkpiece by Danny Dorling.

Very few say they agree with injustice, or that inequality is beneficial. In the world's rich countries injustice is caused less and less by having too few resources to share around fairly; it is increasingly maintained by widespread adherence to beliefs that actually propagate it.

These beliefs are often presented as natural, innocent and long-standing, but they are mostly modern creations - what appeared fair and normal yesterday will often be seen as unjust tomorrow. Changing what is understood by injustice today means telling some people, usually those in high office, that what they consider to be fair is in fact in many ways unjust.

Shock and Awe - One Society Media Release

Kathryn Busby — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:08:40 +0000

One Society Media Release - 27 January 2010

Shock and Awe

One Society - the newly formed campaign to reduce income inequality - welcomes the National Equality Panel's report as a wakeup call for all voters and political parties. The current high levels of income inequality simply cannot be justified and need to be reversed. A more equal society would not just benefit the poorest; everyone's quality of life would be improved. And public policy changes are acknowledged as a huge part of reaching that goal.

Malcolm Clark, Campaign Director of One Society, responding to the publication of the report, said:

"The report warns readers they might be shocked by the sheer scale of the inequality and its effects ... and duly delivers a picture of a Britain that should make us all angry and ready to act."

"No one can now say income inequality doesn't matter. It demonstrably does: it affects the quality of our lives, the health of our economy and the state of the communities that we live in."

"Inequality is not just something that effects the poorest either. The report calls for action to address inequality between those who are quite well-off and those who are below the average, but not at the bottom. This echoes what The Spirit Level and other studies have found: people throughout the income scale have to bear the social, mental and financial costs of a more unequal society."

"Business leaders as well as politicians should take note that inequality does not make us more economically successful. At the bottom, potential is wasted and spending power reduced. In wider terms, a more stressed workforce, the perpetual pressures for wage increases to keep up with the top earners, and higher externality costs all have a negative impact. As other countries prove, you can have growth without being so unequal."

"However, there is hope. The report emphasises how inequality is not inevitable. Public policy is recognized as having a big role to play in tackling inequality. Government action - not just top-down but a whole series of approaches - has and can have an effect.

"The immediate challenge is to make sure that inequality is not further entrenched by our response to the economy's exit from recession. The top 10-20% have seen their incomes rise fastest and furthest in recent times, so it should only be fair that those people should bear the costs of recovery more than those who have gained least."

"The other priority is for politicians to take on board how income inequality is so pervasive and such a contributory factor to so many other social ills. Real improvements in income and wealth equality are needed if equality of opportunity and social mobility are ever to be more than just election slogans. We will be in awe of politicians' timidity and recklessness if they do not grasp this lesson."

Notes to editors:

1. One Society is a new campaign, set up in association with The Equality Trust, to highlight the negative effects of income inequality, showcase research and policy solutions, and bring together people and organisations in support of a more equal society.

2. One Society believes that a larger divide, in wealth and power, between those at the very top and the rest of society is damaging to national well being. More equal societies work better for everyone; not just those at the bottom but right the way up: we all benefit.

3. One Society will officially launch its campaigning activity in early February (with the publication of pamphlets produced by Demos) and will focus on making the issue of income inequality - and practical proposals to reduce it - an election issue. In the meantime, comment and developments are available via the campaign's twitter feed: @One_Society and website www.onesociety.org.uk

4. Compelling evidence shows that large income inequalities within societies damage the social fabric and quality of life for everyone. The evidence is published in Richard Wilkinson & Kate Pickett's book The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better (Allen Lane, 2009)

Media Contacts:

Malcolm Clark, campaign director of One Society, can be contacted on (t) 020 7922 7921 (m) 07733322148, by email malcolm@onesociety.org.uk or via Twitter @One_Society

Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, authors of The Spirit Level, are also available for comment and interview. To arrange please contact The Equality Trust - 020 7922 7927 / kathryn.busby@equalitytrust.org.uk

One Society summary of 'Inequality in the UK' report

Kathryn Busby — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:55:03 +0000

Here is the One Society summary of the National Equality Panel report published today.

For a longer summary please visit the One Society facebook page.

Key Findings from National Equality Panel report:
'An Anatomy of Economic Inequality in the UK'

Inequality matters - it effects the quality of our lives, the health of our economy and the state of the communities that we live in. (piii)

Inequality is not inevitable - modern economies & societies can be managed differently. (p3)

Inequality does not make us more economically successful - you can have growth without being so unequal. (p3)

Inequality damages our ability to form sustaining friendships and strong communities, as well as just suppressing our individual potential (p3)

Inequality makes us less happy and less well - and that has social and economic costs for society as a whole. (p3)

Inequality acts as a barrier to social mobility. (p4)

Inequality cannot be explained as simply the wrong choices or behaviours of individuals - there is a strong background of inequality of opportunity behind everything. (p4)

Inequality is something which most people are unaware of the scale of. This lack of awareness runs through society, from rich to poor, and acts as a constraint on any policies designed to contribute to reducing inequality. (p31)

Inequality shapes people's life chances literally from cradle to grave. (p31)

Inequality cannot be tackled simply by looking at the differences in opportunities between the very top and bottom of society. Action is also needed to address inequality between those who are quite well-off and those who are below the average, but not at the bottom. (p31-32)

Inequality is not an insurmountable challenge - public policy can and does make a difference. (p32)

Inequality could be further entrenched by our response to the recession - will the costs of recovery be borne by those who gained least in the period before the crisis, or by those who gained most, and are in the strongest position to bear them? (p35)

Inequality's effects are still not fully known - many people have still only had half their careers within this more unequal world. (p35)

Inequality means it matters more in Britain who your parents are than in many other countries. Intergenerational mobility appears lower in more unequal societies such as ours (p36)

Equality of opportunity is very difficult to achieve without real improvements in income and wealth equality. Resources - and greater equality of resources - do matter. (p36)

NB. page numbers refer to pages to the summary of the 'An Anatomy of Inequality in the UK' report, rather than the full report itself.

The Equality Trust / The Spirit Level cited in House of Lords (again!)

Bill Kerry — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:15:53 +0000

The Equality Bill has now moved to the Committee stage in the House of Lords. The socio-economic duty was debated on 11th January and is reported here in Hansard.

We are pleased to confirm that the duty was retained and that plenty of Lords referenced both The Spirit Level and/or the briefings which The Equality Trust provided to every single Peer.

Baroness Royall commented: "A number of noble Lords referred on Second Reading to the work of the Equality Trust, which was summarised in a book, The Spirit Level, much quoted in this Chamber. The gist of the authors' impressive research is that societies that are more equal in terms of income distribution tend to be better societies in every way-richer, healthier, happier, more cohesive, less prone to violent crime and so on. I concur with that analysis, which is why we need the socio-economic duty."