A PDF version of this newsletter is available here to download and print

Photo contest: images of [in]equality

We are delighted to announce the results of our first photography competition, The Spirit Level: images of [in]equality.

The winning photograph chosen by professional photographers Mark Burton & Jeff Hubbard, and The Spirit Level authors Richard Wilkinson & Kate Pickett, was Hopes & Dreams by Rachael Fallis.

Rachael's photo addresses the links between inequality, crime and gambling on the lottery. The facade of hope offered by the lottery is juxtaposed with the harsh reality of income inequality in the UK, in which vast pay gaps in businesses play an important role.

To see the winning and highly commended photos and other entries please visit our results page.

Defend the new Equality Act

The Equality Act is one of the pieces of legislation currently being scrutinised in the government's Red Tape Challenge. We need to let them know that Equality legislation is not red tape, and if they would like to improve the Act they should reinstate the socio-economic duty. Find out more here.

Co-ops Fortnight tackles inequality

The theme of this year's Co-operatives Fortnight (25th June - 9th July) is 'yours to share'. Our researchers Anna Barford and Hector Rufrancos, who supplied ten shocking facts about inequality for their official website, attended the Co-ops Fortnight launch on 4th April.

To sign the Co-ops Fortnight petition, which reads "I want to narrow the gap between rich and poor, through action to share ownership and wealth in a co-operative way" please visit the Co-operatives Fortnight website.

Research goes from strenght to strength

Since the last edition of Among Equals, we have been proud to present two new research publications.

In April our first Research Digest was released. In these quarterly digests we will discuss what the wider academic literature is saying about income inequality and its effects. Read the first edition, which focuses on the effects of inequality on violent crime.

And in May we published the first of our occasional Research Updates on single academic papers that relate to income inequality. Read Evidence & policy-making: speaking truth to power to learn more about Alex Stevens' report that policy–makers are biased against evidence that is critical of inequality.

This year's annual gathering of Supporters & Local Groups is scheduled for Saturday 12 November. At present, our limited resources mean we have to hold these in London as we have access to free conference facilities, but we hope to be in a position to hold them in other parts of the country in future years.

The conference is free but to be eligible to attend you either need to be part of a local equality group or a paid-up supporter. We hope to see you there!

Fifty Campaigns to Shout About

Ellie Levenson's new book hit the shelves last month, in which she introduces "fifty of the most pressing issues of the 21st century" with the aim of providing inspiration to those who want to make a difference and don't know where to start.

In the chapter titled Close the Wealth Gap, Ellie recommends reading The Spirit Level and contacting The Equality Trust. We couldn't agree more!

You can buy copies of Fifty Campaigns to Shout About from all the usual places including independent book sellers such as Housmans.

Help us to develop excellent resources for young people

We have just formed a working group to develop educational materials for young people on the subject of income inequality.

If you are interested in helping to develop, test or distribute our resources then please do get in touch: kathryn.busby@equalitytrust.org.uk

We are particularly keen to hear from young people who would like to work with us on this project, anyone with expertise in social media or graphic design, and those who have creative ideas for engaging people in the issues.

Equality North West: an update from Mary Curran 

Equality NW first met in October 2010, just before The Equality Trust national supporters' conference so we had some ideas to take there. There are now about 15 core members, from students to pensioners, and 90 on our mailing list. We meet at the Friends Meeting House in Manchester and have good support from the Quakers, including a £200 grant for room hire.

We have held two public meetings - Danny Dorling spoke at the most recent event, which was also the paperback launch of his book, Injustice. About 140 people attended, some of whom had not been to a political meeting before and said it got them thinking and motivated to do something.

We have contacted MPs about the Equality Pledge and Early Day Motion 1775, and got new MPs signed up. A group of us went on the national anti-cuts demo and found the London cube! It was good to share campaigning ideas with other Equality Trust groups as we walked. Two of us have attended the Equality Trust speaker training, and others want to do this, jointly with the Sheffield group.

In the next couple of months we're planning:

• A town centre anti-inequality event with placards (eg 'I live in Salford and will live X years', 'I live in Hertfordshire and will live Y years) and distributing leaflets.
• Child Poverty and Income Inequality an event on 1 July with Graham Whitham, Policy Advisor for Save the Children.
• Lobbying local councils for a fairness commission / equality declaration.

To join Equality North West please contact: equalitytrustnw@yahoo.co.uk

STOP PRESS: To join the new Birmingham & West Midlands Equality Group contact Mark Evans on markevans13@hotmail.co.uk – and for other groups including a new group coming soon to Suffolk please contact bill.kerry@equalitytrust.org.uk

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