GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR

Early day motion 1589, tabled 7 September 2004 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 34 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 reqest 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 between rich and poor has widened with the result that Britain has become a less equal society.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Liberal Democrat 14, Labour/Co-operative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1, Scottish National Party 1.