Inequality and the distribution of income in the UK

Inequality in society is a popular discussion topic, but how can we measure inequality in order to judge whether it is changing over time? Paul Turner of Loughborough University explores ways in which we can set out to use real-world data to tackle this issue

Commentary on the questions in this column is provided online at www.hoddereducation.co.uk/economicreviewextras

Inequality is a hot economic and political topic. Recent books by Thomas Piketty and Arthur Goldhammer (The Economics of Inequality, 2015) and Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson (The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone, 2010) have put forward the case that inequality of incomes and wealth constitute one of the major problems facing modern Western economies.