Like Covid19, inequality is odourless, we can't touch, taste or smell it, but in London we are bathed in it every day. Viruses are like fingerprints. They help to show us some of the hidden structures of our society and Covid19 infection, disease and death rates have mapped poverty and inequality in London.

Inequality (the size of the social and economic gaps between us) damages us all, our friendships and relationships, our work, our homes, our education, our health and our chances of living a happy, fulfilling life.  Inequality has shaped who is more likely to catch Covid19, and who is more likely to die. Barking and Dagenham has seen twice as many cases as Richmond; three times as many London bus drivers have died compared to the average death rate.  

But London's shockingly high levels of inequality are not inevitable. As our city gradually emerges from the crisis of the pandemic now is the time for radical changes to the fundamental economic structure of our city.  We must Build Back Fairer.

Read our Agenda for a fairer London and add your name to the growing list of Londoners demanding a more equal capital. Sign the petition below.

Inequality in London more or less doubled in the 1980s. It has stayed at this very high level for the last thirty years: 

• London is nearly twice as unequal as it was 40 years ago;
• We now have more billionaires than any other city in Europe, and more than at any other point in our history;
• 5% of Londoners own 50% of the wealth of our city. 50% of Londoners share only 5% of the wealth between them;
• Homelessness has increased by over 150% in the last ten years, and child poverty has tripled in the last 40 years;
• Extreme wealth, as it drives up prices and rents, makes housing unaffordable for all but the very rich 
• Inequality creates the toxic context for youth and male violence. As it widens the gaps between us inequality drives desire for status, recognition and ‘respect’. 

For many, unequal London has become a less generous, more violent, harsher and harder place to live. Covid19 arrived after ten years of austerity which left London's communities vulnerable and our public services poorly prepared for the crisis.

We need a much fairer London. As we recover from the pandemic we need our Mayor to make greater economic equality and a fairer London their top priority.