Honorary Professor Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP: The Inequality of Wealth. Why it matters and how to fix it.
- Location
- 3 Centenary Square, Assembly Room, Birmingham B1 2DR, The Exchange
- Dates
- Thursday 30 November 2023 (18:00-20:00)
For all our troubles, Britain is still the fifth wealthiest country on earth. But it doesn’t feel like that for many - because wealth is no longer fairly shared. And it may be about to get worse. Much worse.
As the baby boomers die, we’re about to see the biggest wealth transfer in British history: over £5 trillion cascading down the generations.
But while a lucky few will inherit fortunes, others will inherit only debts, doubts and care bills. Gen Z, the incredible young generation that’s already survived a world of conflict, crash and contagion are about to become heirs to a nation that has gone backwards to an ‘inheritocracy’ where wealth buys you power and hard work no longer gets you on in life. It will be a political nightmare.
But there is another way. Former Cabinet Minister Liam Byrne takes us on a journey from the streets of inner-city
Birmingham to super-yacht shipyards and Rolls Royce factories, from debates in the White House, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to interviews with the world’s leading thinkers on tackling inequality.
Inspired by the work of Nobel prize-winning economist James Meade, what emerges is a bold plan to renew one of the oldest ideas in British politics: the wealth-owning democracy.
After a decade of books that describe our problems, Liam Byrne now sets out a
book of answers: five big steps that could get Britain’s vote - and would change Britain’s future.
The evening will be chaired by Will Hutton, President of the Academy of Social Sciences, political economist, author and columnist, whose writing has brought research evidence and analysis to the attention of policy makers and the wider public, establishing him as one of the best critical thinkers and communicators of our times.
Join Rt Hon Liam Byrne, Honorary Professor of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Birmingham for his talk, The Inequality of Wealth. Why it matters and how to fix it, reflecting on the findings of his upcoming book, followed by questions and a drinks reception.
Please note that this event is now closed for new registrations.