Economic inequality is at historically high levels with income inequality in developed countries at its highest for over 50 years. In the UK, the rise in income inequality over the last 30 years is one of the largest across developed nations, leading to the UK being close to the top of the international league for inequality and second highest among G7 countries.

Economist Mike Brewer discusses the causes and consequences of these high levels of economic inequality in the UK, outlining why the UK became so unequal in the 1980s and how this has developed further since the 2008 financial crash and the austerity that followed. Brewer then presents new analysis of the top 1% and 0.1%, before assessing the relevance of Thomas Piketty’s landmark work and predictions around wealth inequalities. The author then outlines six key areas that need addressing to move the UK off its high-inequality path and towards a fairer society, including wealth redistribution, social mobility, and excessive pay at the top.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The ‘What Do We Know and What Should We Do About...?′ series offers readers short, up-to-date overviews of key issues often misrepresented, simplified or misunderstood in modern society and the media. Each book is written by a leading social scientist with an established reputation in the relevant subject area. The Series Editor is Professor Chris Grey, Royal Holloway, University of London.