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Without London, where would the UK be? Worse off than Mississippi, the US’ poorest state, according to a recent analysis. But there are also downsides to being such a London-centric nation, not least the record levels of inequality that the UK is predicted to reach by 2028.
Inequality, it has long been shown, is bad for everyone in society. But after a decade of researching the City of London’s top companies to understand their views on diversity and social mobility, Louise Ashley writes that City leaders are still desperate to avoid discussing the elephant in the extravagantly furnished room: London’s part in creating such an unequal country, and what to do about it.
The issue of income and wealth inequality is sure to be a major issue at the next general election. Stewart Lansley, an expert on Britain’s story of the rich and poor, charts a link between the country’s poverty levels and private wealth, and argues that Labour’s commitment to not raising taxes on wealth, capital gains or higher incomes if it prevails is a mistake.
On Saturday September 23, join me and speakers including Louise Ashley at HowTheLightGetsIn in London – the world’s largest philosophy and music festival – to discuss how to restructure society for the common good. This two-day festival at Kenwood House will be headlined by Rory Stewart, Alastair Campbell, Carol Gilligan, David Baddiel and more. As a Conversation reader, don’t miss getting 20% off tickets using the code CONVO23.
And as NHS England starts prescribing the drug Wegovy for weight loss, we reveal the exotic origins of medications like Wegovy, which was inspired by the venom of the Gila monster.
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