New Inequalities
The Changing Distribution of Income and Wealth in the United Kingdom

In this book, first published in 1996, leading specialists examine wealth distribution developments.

John Hills (Edited by)

9780521553261, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 June 1996

422 pages, 102 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm, 0.73 kg

It is recognised that the gap between rich and poor in Britain is widening faster than in any comparable country. This important issue is attracting increasing attention after long neglect. Economists and others concerned with problems linked with inequality are investigating factors contributing to the situation. Based on results of the first recent major research programme in this area, this book, first published in 1996, examines wealth distribution in the United Kingdom over the last two decades. Leading specialists in the area tackle the problem from a wide variety of perspectives. Contributions include: the analysis of income distribution; the effects of greater female participation in the labour force; social security reform; and geographical variation at the national and local scale. Understanding the complexity of these factors is crucial to designing policies which can begin to cope with income inequalities.

List of figures
List of tables
List of contributors
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction: after the turning point John Hills
Part I. Income Distribution: 2. Seeking to explain the distribution of income A. B. Atkinson
3. The changing shape of the UK income distribution: kernel density estimates Frank A. Cowell, Stephen P. Jenkins and Julie A Litchfield
4. UK household cost-of-living indices, 1979–92 Ian Crawford
5. Cost-of-living differences between the regions of the United Kingdom Vani K. Borooah, Patrick P. L. McGregor, Patricia M. McKee and Gwyneth E. Mulholland
Part II. Components of Income: 6. What has happened to the wages of men since 1966? Amanda Gosling, Stephen Machin and Costas Meghir
7. Women's pay and family incomes in Britain, 1979–91 Susan Harkness, Stephen Machin and Jane Waldfogel
8. More work in fewer households? Paul Gregg and Jonathan Wadsworth
9. Self-employment and the distribution of incomes Nigel Meager, Gill Court and Janet Moralee
10. Fairer or Fowler? The effects of the 1986 Social Security Act on family incomes Martin Evans
Part III. Spatial Aspects: 11. Aspects of the changing geography of poverty and wealth Anne E. Green
12. Two nations? Changing patterns of income and wealth in two contrasting areas Michael Noble and George Smith
Part IV. Income and Wealth: 13. Patterns of financial wealth-holding in the United Kingdom James Banks, Andrew Dilnot and Hamish Low
14. Home-ownership, housing wealth and wealth distribution in Britain Chris Hamnett and Jenny Seavers
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Economic theory & philosophy [KCA]