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Inequality is the UK’s worst enemy says TUC
19 Oct 2009
Author Richard Wilkinson will tell a TUC conference today (Monday) that inequality is the UK’s worst enemy and that more unequal societies are bad for almost everyone within them – the well-off as well as the poor.
With the UK one of the most unequal societies in Europe, Richard Wilkinson – author of The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better – will explain that inequality has a detrimental effect on health, education, behaviour, life chances, community cohesion and social mobility.
Having analysed societies around the world he has found that almost every modern social problem – violence, drugs, obesity, mental illness, long working hours, big prison populations – is more likely to occur in a less equal society such as the UK.
Richard Wilkinson is one of several speakers at An Alternative Vision for the Welfare State, which will discuss social inequality, the current problems with the benefits system, and how the welfare state could be shaped differently to bridge the growing divide between the poor and the rich to make the UK a fairer place to live.
Other speakers include PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka; Aide à Toute Détresse – Quart Monde (ATD-4th World) Family Member and Trustee of The UK Coalition Against Poverty Kathy Kelly; Compass Good Society Working Group Chair Jonathan Rutherford; Child Poverty Action Group Chief Executive Kate Green (CPAG); European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) Director Fintan Farrell; and Community Links Campaigns Co-ordinator Maeve McGoldrick.
TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O’Grady will give the closing address to the conference. She will say: “We have reached a critical point in the debate about poverty, inequality and welfare in Britain.
“Last week unemployment rose to almost 2.5 million, a profoundly disturbing statistic. Despite the scarcity of jobs across Britain, yet more welfare reforms are being pushed through that penalise the unemployed and stigmatise the poor. It’s up to us to tackle this head on and make the case for a welfare system that is progressive, compassionate and effective.
“In the year ahead, we will have a huge opportunity to put our arguments forward. 2010 has been designated European Year Against Poverty. There will be a general election here in the UK and with it a big national discussion around public finances, unemployment and welfare reform.
“In a so-called civilised society, every citizen has the fundamental human right to a decent standard of living. Instead of demeaning claimants, it’s time they were treated with respect.
“Whether it’s promoting claimant rights, tackling in-work poverty or campaigning for a minimum income, we’ve got to keep pressing for change. With public revulsion growing at City greed and bankers’ bonuses, and with a deepening clamour for a fairer, more equal society, we can build a welfare state we can all be proud of.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- An Alternative Vision for the Welfare State is from 11am-4.30pm today (Monday 19 October) at Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS.
- An Alternative Vision for the Welfare State is set to be the first in a series of meetings between unions, charities and community groups to address social policy. The TUC will hold a social policy forum in December and a similar forum after the General Election in 2010.
- Speakers at the conference include: TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O’Grady; Newcastle Centre Against Unemployment Co-ordinator Kevin Flynn; PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka; ATD-4th World Family Member and Trustee of UK Coalition Against Poverty Kathy Kelly; Sally Copley from Save the Children; The Spirit Level author Richard Wilkinson; Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Research Fellow Kayte Lawton; Compass Good Society Working Group Chair Jonathan Rutherford; CPAG Chief Executive Kate Green; EAPN Director Fintan Farrell; and Community Links Campaigns Co-ordinator Maeve McGoldrick.
- The TUC is a member of the End Child Poverty coalition. The Campaign to End Child Poverty includes children’s and other charities, social justice groups, faith groups, unions, businesses and many others concerned about the unacceptably high levels of child poverty in the UK. For information visit www.endchildpoverty.org.uk
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Media enquiries:
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