Explore a comprehensive 51-minute lecture by Mike Brewer, Interim Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation and Visiting Professor at LSE, examining the UK's generational wealth inequality. Delve into how income inequality has remained stable since the 1990s while household wealth has nearly doubled, primarily due to rising house prices, creating significant generational divides. Learn about international comparisons, economic shocks, housing accessibility challenges for younger generations, and stagnant earnings growth that disproportionately affects younger cohorts. The lecture progresses through understanding inequality fundamentals, analyzing wealth distribution trends, examining housing's role in generational divides, and concluding with potential government solutions to address these disparities. Recorded at Barnard's Inn Hall in February 2025, this Gresham College presentation offers valuable insights into one of the UK's most pressing economic challenges.
Overview
Syllabus
00:00 // Introduction
00:42 // Understanding Inequality
03:13 // Why Inequality Matters
05:00 // International Comparisons
09:35 // The Growth Problem
12:35 // Economic Shocks and Inequality
14:33 // The Rise of Wealth Inequality
18:49 // The Growth of Household Wealth
22:49 // Generational Wealth Gaps
30:41 // Housing and Generational Divides
39:03 // Stagnant Earnings Across Generations
40:02 // Recent Changes: A Glimmer of Hope
46:35 // Government Actions and Solutions
49:29 // Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Taught by
Gresham College
