PEOPLE in Scotland are more likely than those south of the border to say the distribution of income is unfair, a new study has revealed.
The British Social Attitudes survey found 73% of people in Scotland believe the distribution of income in the UK is unequal, compared to 65% in England.
A further 25% of people in Scotland said they believe they live in an unequal society – with 37% saying they are dissatisfied with government attempts to reduce inequality, compared to 17% and 29% respectively in England.
Dr Chris Deeming, a senior lecturer in social policy at the University of Strathclyde, said: “There is a greater concern about social justice in Scotland than in England, though perhaps the difference is of degree rather than of kind.
“Certainly, attitudes towards inequality north of the border do not, at present at least, match the profile of Nordic social attitudes.
“Even so, thanks to the higher level of inequality in Britain, people in Scotland are most dissatisfied of all with government progress tackling inequality.”
The survey compared responses from the UK to those in Nordic countries, finding Scotland’s attitudes towards inequality fell short of the countries on the other side of the North Sea. The Nordic response to being asked about their feelings on government efforts to tackle inequality saw 21%, 18% and 11% of people in Norway, Finland and Denmark say they are dissatisfied.
While 53% of people in Norway, 51% in Denmark and 39% in Finland believe their society is broadly equal.
Professor Sir John Curtice, polling expert and senior fellow at the National Centre for Social Research, said: “There has long been a debate north of the border between those who claim that the values of people in Scotland are similar to those of people in England, and those who argue that Scotland is similar to outlook to the Nordic countries.
“This analysis suggests that, when it comes to attitudes to inequality at least, Scotland lies somewhere in between – and that perhaps both sides in this debate are at risk of exaggerating their case.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel