Attitudes Towards Inequality in the UK: A review of opinion surveys

Overview

As part of Oxfam’s commitment to tackling inequality in order to end extreme poverty, we need to understand how different people feel about inequality. This briefing examines three UK population surveys and notes that there is widespread agreement with statements that promote greater equality. Those on lower incomes tend to be more egalitarian; the impact of other demographic variables is less clear. In one survey, younger people were the more egalitarian group, but in other surveys, older people were more egalitarian. To campaign effectively and represent the interests of different groups, we need a clearer understanding of how and why attitudes differ. This research note identifies areas where further investigation is needed.