Mind the gap (part I)

People’s incomes are fundamental to their living standards, and closing regional income gaps is central to levelling up the UK. But there are many moving parts to household incomes, they play very different roles across the country, and there are big gaps in what official statistics tell us about this crucial question. An economic strategy which grapples with these nuances stands a markedly better chance of addressing the real causes of Britain’s spatial inequalities.

How have income gaps between and within places changed over the last two decades? To what extent are different sources of income – such as investment and self-employment income – fuelling these changes? And how can these findings be used at both local and national levels in order to close these gaps?

The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar – as part of The Economy 2030 Inquiry, funded by the Nuffield Foundation – to debate and answer these questions. Following a presentation of the key highlights from new joint RF / LSE research on income gaps between places, we will hear from leading experts on what these findings tell us about the UK’s spatial inequalities and how to close these gaps.

A second ‘Mind the gap’ event focusing on productivity gap between places will follow on Thursday 30^th June.

The event will be open for people to physically attend, alongside being broadcast via YouTube and the Resolution Foundation website. Viewers will be able to submit questions to the panel before and during the event via Slido.