A webinar on the relationship between tackling inequality and tackling poverty (13:00-14:00, Thursday 31 October)
Date: Thursday 31 October, 13:00-14:00
Speakers:
- Ruth Lister, Emeritus Professor of Social Policy, Loughborough University
- Stewart Lansley, visiting fellow in the School of Policy Studies, Bristol University
During our recent webinar, Stewart Lansley and Ruth Lister highlighted the urgent need to confront poverty and inequality in the UK. They emphasised that meaningful solutions must focus on wealth distribution rather than solely on short-term poverty alleviation.
Lansley opened the discussion by referencing the alarming rise in wealth extraction over the last two decades. He pointed out that the wealthiest segments of society have accumulated unprecedented fortunes while the living standards of the bottom third have declined. He noted that the only period in the last 200 years when the state acted as an agent of reducing inequality was during the 30 years post-World War II, illustrating the positive impact of government intervention.
Lister then addressed the disconnect between the wealthy and the poor. She argued that as the wealth gap widens, those in power become increasingly detached from the realities faced by disadvantaged communities. Lister asserted that extreme wealth should be recognised as a social problem, which exacerbates the challenges faced by those in poverty.
Both speakers critiqued the limitations of short-term strategies aimed at reducing poverty. Lister emphasised that while it is possible to alleviate poverty in the short term, such efforts are unsustainable without tackling the root causes of inequality. They advocated for a new economicgrowth model that prioritises fair distribution of wealth.
In the Q&A session, they examined the recent government budget, which Lister noted mentioned poverty only once. She highlighted this oversight as a sign of the government’s broader lack of commitment to addressing critical social issues. Lansley echoed her concerns regarding the current tax structure, which disproportionately favours income over wealth. He argued for a rebalancing of the tax system to ensure that the wealthy contribute fairly to the nation’s resources.
The discussion also touched on the historical context of government responses to poverty and inequality. Lansley pointed out that campaigners today face significant challenges, lacking the collective power that big business holds in defending its interests. Lister remarked on the right-wing media’s influence, which complicates efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of wealth concentration.
Ultimately, Lansley and Lister argued for a more inclusive approach to economic policy. They contended that meaningful change requires confronting entrenched systems and promoting a sense of social responsibility among the wealthy. They called for a cultural shift that fosters a deeper understanding of how inequality impacts society, ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable are not overlooked in the pursuit of economic growth.
This discussion highlighted the shared view of Lansley and Lister that tackling economic inequality is a necessary step in effectively addressing poverty in the UK, emphasising that sustainable solutions must confront the root causes of both issues.
Watch the discussion in full below.
Biographies
Stewart Lansley is a visiting fellow, University of Bristol and a Council Member of the Progressive Economy Forum. He is the author of The Richer The Poorer, How Britain Enriched the Few and Failed the Poor, a 200-year History, 2021.
Ruth Lister is a member of the House of Lords and Emeritus Professor of Social Policy at Loughborough University. Her most recent book are Poverty, 2nd Edition, 2021 and Policy Press | Understanding Theories and Concepts in Social Policy, By Ruth Lister, Ruth Patrick and Kate Brown (bristoluniversitypress.co.uk)