17th October 2006

Parmjit Dhanda claims we are "a better and fairer country than we were a decade a go" (30/9/06). B.W. Wheeler is right to question this (letters 7/10/06). How can our MP claim this when Britain flouts international laws and the gap between our richest and poorest workers widens evermore.

The very real increase in inequality is damaging social cohesion and distorts our whole economy. Interest rates for example have risen to cool the top end of the London housing market driven by city bonuses. In fact Directors' pay at Britain's top companies soared by 28% last year, more than seven times the rate of average pay and 11 times the current rate of inflation.

In contrast average earnings are rising just above inflation at 3.7%. Tesco, for example is third from the bottom of the low payers amongst big companies: its 368,000 staff get an average of £11,594, down from £12,713 a year ago yet its chief executive, Sir Terry Leahy, was paid more than £5m.

Labour have made some improvements, compared to the Tories, but they are very minimal. Our society is growing more unequal and now all three main parties shy away from increasing tax for those earning over £100,000.

Meanwhile, our health service is being damaged by Government policy whilst New Labour continue to spend billions on its illegal war in Iraq.

The Green Party has a different approach, believing top earners should contribute more in taxes and that for peace and community harmony we must reduce the current gross inequalities, both between the richest and poorest countries and the richest and poorest people within them. This is an important facet of a better, fairer and more sustainable country.

Bryan Meloy
Gloucester Green party