Statistics means never having to say you’re certain, but …..

There are many quips along the lines of “lies, damned lies and statistics”, but I was willing to suspend my disbelief when Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson delivered their original analysis of inequality. Now they are back and their updated statistics show how inequality lies at the root of escalating environmental, health and social crises.

For example, did you know:

·         Inequality of wealth and income in the UK fell during most of the 20th century, but has been rising since the 1980s?

·         In 2023, the richest 50 families in the UK held more wealth than half of the UK population, comprising 33.5 million people?

You don’t have to take my word for it. You can find these startling insights and much more besides on the Equality Trust website (www.equalitytrust.org.uk). And if you want to know how we compare with other countries then you need look no further than the newly published analysis in ‘The Spirit Level at 15’.

In 2009, the original Spirit Level publication provided a comprehensive analysis linking the negative effects of inequality to a range of social ills – from higher rates of imprisonment and mental health issues to eroded trust within society. For me, it clearly identified the impacts of inequality – and the power of graphs. Now, 15 years on, Professors Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett have published updated analyses revealing how inequality still harms us all.

How does this affect readers of the Curious Squirrel? Well, the UK remains more inter-regionally unequal than other comparable OECD countries and the North-East region lags behind on key indicators. Although living standards have stagnated nationally since the 2008 financial crisis, the North-East has seen the most significant rise of all regions in the number of individuals living in households below the minimum income standard. Inequality bites – especially in our region. The evidence is there in the graphs.

But, inequality is not inevitable. This report is a wake-up call to the new government in Westminster and the newly installed North-East metro mayor. The need to act quickly and reverse decades of rising inequalities of income, wealth and power is very clear.

Let’s start with a slogan. What shall we call it? How about – levelling up?

John Gowing