What's driving the 'Cappuccino Crimewave'?

Submitted by Kathryn Busby on 20 November 2009

The findings of a survey conducted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers have been widely reported over the last day or so as a 'Cappuccino Crimewave' - with recession-hit middle managers committing fraud in order to maintain their expensive lifestyles.

But what would drive someone to commit a crime in order to keep on spending?

As with MPs' expenses and bankers' bonuses, the Cappucinno Crimewave is another reflection of the selfishness and greed of societies made dysfunctional by inequality.

Living in a country with large income differences makes everyone more aware of class, social position, wealth and poverty. The differences between us matter more. 

Inequality reduces our sense of self-worth, which then fuels consumerism and the desire for possessions denoting status. It makes us more likely to live beyond our means in order to buy things that we really don't need and which won't make us happy.

If we are to reduce our status anxiety and its many negative effects then we must achieve greater equality. We call on all political parties to join us in our commitment to building a better society by halving the UK's income gap.