The central argument of your leader column that “most people would like to live in a society that is fair, where merit is rewarded and every child has a similar chance of health and happiness” is very questionable (The class ceiling: entrenching disadvantage, stalling mobility, 26 January).
What we have witnessed during the last seven years is a wide range of social and economic policies with the prime purpose of reinforcing the belief that individuals are responsible for their own destiny.
This is reflected in policy failures to address increases in child poverty, child ill health and homelessness (Poverty is killing UK children, warns report, 26 January; Rise in rough sleeping for sixth year running, 26 January), as well as the chronic underfunding of social care and cuts to a wide range of national and local government services.
The cumulative impact is seen in how mega-inequalities are justified as “individual achievement”, in how little sympathy is afforded to refugee children and adults, and in how the homeless are kicked and urinated on.
Perhaps the worst psychological consequence – and the “success” of these policies – is how the most vulnerable blame themselves for failing to manage.
Your analysis should start from questioning the assumption underpinning the consensus for the “fair society” and recognising the need for comprehensive policies to address the wide range of inequalities, something lacking in current political debate from all parties.
Mike Stein
Emeritus professor, University of York
• How many landmark reports does it take to persuade governments that poverty in the UK is jeopardising children’s health? The 1970s Neuberger report on nutrition research recommended research done on the “cause of low birthweight and its associated handicaps”. The Black report of 1980 spelled out the wide nature of the problem and what should be done. The Winterton 1990-91 Commons select committee report on maternity services requested action on low birthweight and the inequality of health. The Acheson report of 1998 and that of Derek Wanless in 2005 echoed these sentiments, arguing for prevention and adoption of the principles laid out by the Black report of 1980. The Marmot review of health inequalities was published in 2010.
Do we have to beg for an end to this disregard of the evidence that links low incomes, high rents, freezing weather, debt and hunger to ill health and a shortened life?
Paul Nicolson
Taxpayers Against Poverty
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