Most Britons Worry That Wealth Inequality Threatens Society
A new Fairness Foundation report warns that rising wealth inequality could lead to societal collapse. The findings are supported by a recent Opinium survey of 2,000 UK adults, which reveals deep concerns about the influence of the super-rich in politics.
Survey Shows Growing Concern Over Rich Influence in Politics
The survey found that 63% of people believe the very wealthy have too much power in UK politics. In comparison, only 40% said the same about businesses, 38% about international organisations like the EU and UN, and fewer still about religious groups.
This concern crosses party lines:
- 78% of Liberal Democrat supporters agreed.
- 67% of Labour voters shared the concern.
- 65% of Reform UK supporters agreed.
- 56% of Conservatives felt the same.
Experts Warn of Real-World Risks
The report, titled “Inequality Knocks”, is based on insights from 25 experts in politics, academia, business, and civil society. These experts gathered at an event hosted by the Fairness Foundation and King’s College London to discuss the risks of widening inequality.
Between 2011 and 2019, the wealth gap between the richest and poorest 10% of people in the UK grew by 48%, jumping from £7.5 trillion to £11 trillion in total assets.
Experts agreed that extreme inequality:
- Weakens social trust and cohesion
- Erodes public confidence in institutions
- Damages the quality of public services
Potential Triggers for Collapse
The report outlines several ways inequality could spark societal breakdown:
- Economic shocks, such as runaway inflation or currency crashes
- Climate disasters, like a failure of the Thames Barrier or crop losses
- Technological risks, including AI-driven unemployment or loss of privacy due to quantum computing
Counter-Elites Fueling Mistrust
The report also warns of “counter-elites” who tap into public anger about inequality. Figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk in the US – and some in the UK – are pushing narratives that claim to fix inequality. However, experts say their solutions may deepen inequality and accelerate the risk of collapse.
