
I’ve mentioned the gap between rich and poor before, but I came across Close the gap a few weeks ago and thought I’d mention it again. Close the Gap is a campaign from Church Action on Poverty. Sign up and they’ll send you a campaign action once a month. Why? Because those on low incomes pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than the richest do, pay more for their gas and electricity, pay more in interest on any loans they might have. There is a 20 year difference in life expectancy between the richest and poorest areas of Britain.
This is what I wanted to ask Miliband about. He said we had become a fairer society since 1997, and I was going to disagree. We are nearly all richer, but things are not fairer.
Yes, I noticed him say that and wondered what evidence he would offer for that assertion. Perhaps I should bring it up at the hustings on wednesday.
You might find this page interesting: “CLOSING THE GAP
Rodger Malcolm Mitchell