The concept of “equality of opportunity” lies at the heart of the welfare state and is subscribed to by all mainstream political parties. But, with the gap between rich and poor wider now than it was over 40 years ago, and the top 10 per cent of Britain’s wealthiest households currently 500 times richer than those in the bottom 10 per cent, the UK appears to be a long way from achieving this goal.
Can such huge differences in outcomes really stem from personal choices made against a background of equal opportunities? What is the future role of the welfare state in addressing the various forms of inequality? And how will the Government’s new Universal Credit reforms impact upon the opportunities and outcomes for the most disadvantaged?
Professor John Hills, Professor of Social Policy at the London School of Economics and leading expert in inequality, will examine the context of widening inequalities and what it means for the evolving welfare state.
This event is kindly supported by the ESRC.
