Paul Donovan discusses the rise of inequality in Britain

It was not always so. Back in 1976, the UK was the second most equal country, after Sweden, and people were happier.

These are some of the salient facts in a new book from social geography professor Danny Dorling, titled Peak Injustice.

The impression of a country drowning as it slides down the international scale is hard to escape.

The underfunding of health, education and welfare. High poverty levels. How the decay of the UK made the country more vulnerable to Covid. 

Dorling points out that austerity policies killed more than Covid, and, of course, there was crossover.

He claims that "as many as two million were killed through the actions of the government that had been in power up to 2023."

Housing receives attention with the fact that there are enough rooms in the country to house the population, but many are empty. The author suggests that a drop in prices, maybe caused by a crash, could free up property and enable a realignment. 

Cllr Paul Donovan has been reading a book on inequality in the UK Dorling is a keen advocate of land and wealth taxes. He would also like to see all student debt cancelled.

He points out that countries that tax at higher rates have better education, health and transport, less pollution, better housing outcomes and less use of antidepressants.

The hope that things can improve often comes from looking to other countries. Finland is a favourite with people happy to pay taxes for public services.

The society is not polarised like the UK, and people are happier and healthier.

The Scottish government is also more progressive, not having the two-child benefit limit. Since 2021, they have also had a Scottish child payment of £25 a week for those in need.

The result is that child poverty levels are 24% of the population and falling. By contrast, in England the level is 29% and rising.

Dorling estimates that child poverty costs the UK £39 billion a year.

The author applauds recent pay deals for rewarding the lowest paid with higher settlements, so closing the inequality gap a little.

It is not all bad news. Dorling believes that UK society is at Peak Injustice, so things should get better as the country comes down from the peak (Peak inequality came in 2018).

Let's hope he is correct, with society moving towards being more just, cohesive and equal.

• Paul Donovan is Labour councillor for Wanstead Village ward, Redbridge Council and a blogger (paulfdonovan.blogspot.com).