GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR

Early day motion 2, tabled 23 November 2004 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 45 members.

That this House is dismayed that the gap between rich and poor has widened since 1997; is disturbed that the percentage of wealth held by the top 10 per cent. of the population has increased from 47 per cent. to 54 per cent.; congratulates the Institute of Public Policy Research Commission on Social Justice, set up at the request of the late Labour leader John Smith, for drawing these worrying facts to public attention; and calls on the Government to explain why over the past seven years the gap betweeen the rich and the poor has widened, with the result that Britain has becomes a less equal society.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 27, Labour 13, Plaid Cymru 2, DUP 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, UUP 1.