The impact of inequality

Jul 21 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

THERE is much already understood about the impact of inequality on women and other under-served groups; women continue to endure a shocking gender pay gap, workers from black minority ethnic communities endure low pay, under-employment and poorer employment opportunities and people with disabilities are faced with the same challenges in even greater extremes.

Although there are signs of (very) slow progress in these areas, they all remain very difficult challenges that do require focused and radical interventions and action to make a difference.

We do not often, however, make the link between persistent inequality and tackling child poverty, health and wellbeing. Yet there is ample evidence to show that inequality at work and in broader society is as bad for children as living and growing up in poverty can be.

Although it is disappointing that the government looks like failing to meet its child poverty targets, progress in tackling poverty has been significant in the last 10 years; the same cannot be said for efforts to address inequality. Compared with other European countries, the UK remains a very unequal place to live and work. Innovative research by UNICEF shows a clear correlation between the wellbeing of children and the level of inequality in different countries.

In considering material wellbeing, health and safety, educational attainment and family and peer relationships, the research found that children’s wellbeing was “significantly correlated” to a country’s level of income inequality as well as the percentage of children living in relative poverty – but not to a country’s average income – suggesting that reducing inequality would do more to promote children’s wellbeing than further increases in economic growth. We know that poverty has a direct impact on children’s wellbeing. Even before a child is born they are disadvantaged if their mother lives in an impoverished household.

Kevin Rowan is regional secretary of Northern TUC