Is there division?
Britons believe that we are an unequal society. Large majorities agree that there is a division between “haves” and “have-nots”, that this gap is a problem, and that not enough is being done to tackle it.
Over seven in ten Britons (73 per cent) say there is a division between the "haves" and "have nots", including almost half (49 per cent) saying there is ‘a lot’ of division. On the contrary, just 12 per cent say there is ‘not very much’ and two per cent who say ‘not at all’. This has remained constant over time and predates the cost-of-living crisis.
Additionally, two-thirds (67 per cent) say this division is a problem, compared to 13 per cent who say it is not. Three in five (59 per cent) say it is important that Britain reduces the gap between the "haves" and "have nots", compared to only a fifth who disagree (and another fifth who don’t know).
Furthermore, over half of Britons say ‘too little’ is being done to reduce the gap between the "haves" and "have nots". This is compared to just a sixth (17 per cent) who say 'about the right amount' is being done, and just a narrow 5 per cent who say 'too much' (24 per cent who don’t know).
These views are shared across the population with only slight differences in Leave & Remain, Male & Female, and Conservative & Labour voters.
When it comes to solving these problems, the public has little faith in the commitment and/or ability of policymakers to do so. Clear majorities agree that those in positions of power are ‘out of touch’ when it comes to the challenges ordinary Britons face.
In fact, two-thirds (68 per cent) believe the Government is 'out of touch' versus only 14 per cent who say they are 'in touch' with the difficulties in day-to-day life. A majority of people say the same about:
Liz Truss 64 vs 13 per cent
The Conservative Party 63 vs 15 per cent
Civil servants at 50 vs 19 per cent
This is not a partisan issue, though, as significant minorities also believe the following are out of touch:
Journalists 48 vs 22 per cent
The Labour Party 45 vs 28 per cent
Keir Starmer 44 vs 28 per cent
Climate activists 42 vs 29 per cent
Policymakers and the media have work to do to regain public confidence in their ability to relate to everyday Britons' lives.
At the same time, when asked what will make the country fairer, Britons opt for a variety of solutions, rather than settling on a single answer. This reflects the fact that, in the minds of most Britons, inequality is not a distinct issue they consider in isolation, but something caused by a wide variety of drivers, requiring multiple solutions.
