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Structurally Unsound, five years on: how can the UK bridge the equality gap?

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Structurally UnsoundÌýwas first published in 2019, and took an in-depth look at the causes and consquences of inequality in the UK. Five years since publication, the report's authors ask, is Britain's inequality gap widening, and what can policymakers do to address it?Ìý

Following last month's London Festival of Architecture event "", at which UCL Grand Challenges and UCL Public Policy presented, a new film has been made by . The film focuses on London and is an overview of how hard it can be to listen, understand and implement action on inequalities.

The film explores how decisions made through policy, design and implementation, affect the lives of us all and how the marginalised in society are the ones who are particularly hardest hit.

This film is part of longstanding collaboration between UCL Grand Challenges and UCL Public Policy.

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Structurally Unsound Five Years On - Reflective Workshop

How have structural inequalities in the UK evolved over the last five years? Which regions, groups and people are facing increased or multiple disadvantages? Where have there been notable successes in addressing inequalities, and how has the inequalities landscape of the UK shifted? What key lessons have been learned for universities, business, civil society, and policy makers?

These questions are at the heart of a long-standing collaboration between and which continues to build understanding across sectors and move the dial on tackling structural inequalities in the UK.Ìý

Following collaboration with the Resolution Foundation in 2019 to produce a policy commission and major report: Structurally Unsound – Exploring Inequalities: Igniting research to better inform policy – this work continues to make an impact on understanding intersectional inequalities today. Five years on, these teams recently reconvened experts drawn from academia, business, policy, and civil society, to reflect on the changed landscape of structural inequalities in the UK and discuss approaches to addressing these.

In collaboration with Pro Bono Economics, a day of compelling ‘lightning talks’ and focussed discussions explored topics including:Ìý

• How language can shape political agendas and determine the awareness and perceived urgency of tackling structural inequalities.
• Challenges of sustained, meaningful co-production with those who have lived experience of marginalisation.
• The importance of viewing structural inequalities as part of deep-set poverty pandemic in the UK, rather than a ‘one-off' cost-of-living crisis.
• Resilience and efforts to overcome disadvantages are being transferred from institutions to individuals.
• The possibilities of treating crises as opportunities to build capacity for long-term change.
• Valuing long-term relationships to ensure we are asking the right questions, and seeking the right evidence.
• A need to reformulate pre-existing ideas around multiple disadvantage – and the data needed to better understand where the shoe really pinches.

Find out more by readingÌýtheÌý