GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR

Early day motion 2, tabled 17 May 2005 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 47 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 Prime Minister to explain why over the past eight years the gap between the rich and the poor has widened, with the result that the UK has become a less equal society, and whether he regards this as a success or failure of his Government's policies.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 25, Labour 10, Scottish National Party 4, Plaid Cymru 3, Conservative 2, DUP 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.