Inequality in Britain is on the rise, bringing a host of social
problems in its wake. Yet there are simple measures politicians
could take that would tackle the issue and narrow the wealth
gap. Those are the conclusions of Why Inequality Matters, a new
booklet produced by the Centre for Labour and Social Studies
(Class), a thinktank set up by trade unions to influence public
policy debates. The booklet advocates a series of policies to
raise the incomes of those on the bottom and lower those at the
top. These include paying a “living wage” to low paid workers,
restricting the salaries of senior management and promoting
trade union membership. It calls for tax reforms such as
increasing inheritance and property tax and cracking down on tax
havens where the rich store their loot. It also calls for
improved public services—though it stops short of explicitly
opposing cuts. Why Inequality Matters includes a series of
useful and easily digested facts that demonstrate the extent of
inequality in Britain. It summari