Wealth Inequality

In my last post, I wrote about some of the challenges December brings. The issues I spoke of are ones which affect me directly. This is my reality, which makes it important to me. But although things can be a struggle, I know I am fortunate in many ways which others aren’t. 

I read a piece today about wealth inequality in the UK. Undertaken by the Equality Trust, the analysis is shocking. The UK’s five richest families own more wealth than the bottom 13 million people. Read that last sentence aloud. It’s a sobering thought. And ‘people’ includes children as well as adults. 

Fourteen million people in the UK live in poverty. That’s a fifth of the population. Across the richest countries in the world, levels of wealth and income inequality in the UK are among the highest. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has shown that higher income inequality hampers economic growth. In countries with larger levels of income inequality, there are higher levels of ill health (both mental and physical), higher violent crime rates, increased cases of drug and alcohol addiction, and lower levels of educational attainment.

This is life in the UK in 2019. It makes me very sad, and also angry. It’s hard to know how to do anything towards redressing the balance. Especially at an individual level. The ideal is that we wouldn’t need charities to support those in poverty. The reality is that so many people currently live in poverty that more, not less, support is needed. 

Offering time to help charities can be invaluable. Time is a commodity which one can donate throughout the year. It’s something I try to do with some of our local charities. Just small amounts of time at regular intervals, offering guidance and support as a trustee. The charities I work with help people with mental ill health, and children living in difficult situations who are in need of mentoring support. Not directly addressing poverty, but working with issues which can be linked to wealth inequality.

Smaller charities with limited storage space can struggle with the volume of donations around Christmas time. Making contributions throughout the year can ease the pressure not only on storage, but also help to ensure there are regular supplies for those who need them. There are so many charities who want support, which they try, in return, to pass to those who need it. 

Individuals’ contributions might not solve issues at a national level, but can make a difference locally. Something I try to do at this time of year is to participate in a calendar of goodwill, such as the one set up by Jo – in consultation with her children – at Cup of Toast. It needn’t take much effort, or any money, to try to make a difference. Even if it feels a small gesture to you, it can mean so much to the recipient of the goodwill.

The fact remains though that in 2019, there are huge numbers of people living in poverty in the UK. We have a moral responsibility to try to address this. The strapline of ‘Ferraris and foodbanks’ is one which shouldn’t sit comfortably with any of us, no matter how comfortably we are sitting.