UK must tackle ‘deep set, entrenched and structural’ inequalities

The government’s approach to tackling inequality should ‘urgently address’ the multiple levels of disadvantage that some people face, according to a new University College London (UCL) report.

The report, which is called Structurally Unsound, finds that women, working-class, ethnic minority and disabled groups often face multiple disadvantages affecting their educational outcomes, employment prospects, homeownership, health and life expectancy.

The report highlights lessons learned and provides recommendations for policymakers and researchers to adopt when approaching structural inequalities.

The report notes that minority groups in particular face multiple disadvantages, particularly around employment, with figures showing that significant employment gaps exist for working class, BAME and disabled adults.

While the report says the proportion of BAME adults in work has increased in the last decade, it still lags the rate recorded by the white population by 10.6%.

BAME people are also on average 6% more likely to be underemployed than their white counterparts. While black male graduates can expect to earn 17% less than white male graduates, after accounting for background and job. 

To understand this disparity, the researchers say there is a growing need to obtain qualitative data and for businesses, government and the public sector to consider reporting on race and socio-economic background of employees.

The report also highlights that where you live in the UK has a significant impact on your life chances. These issues are heavily intertwined with disparities in infrastructure across the UK and investment in both hard infrastructure, such as roads and rails, and soft infrastructure, such as schools and libraries.

Dr Olivia Stevenson, head of Public Policy at UCL, and report author said: ‘The UK has a deep-set and entrenched level of structural inequality and the UK government has a powerful role to play in addressing this.

‘Current instruments being used in government to measure inequality are not ambitious enough. We have a patchwork of policy, rather than a comprehensive fabric for policy delivery.

‘Instead of merely focusing on compliance, they must consider issues of multiple disadvantage and come up with a bold new strategy, working collaboratively across government departments and with businesses and the public sector.’