Complaint
A listener complained the presenter Tim Harford had suggested inequality in the UK was not getting worse and should not be thought of as a problem. The ECU considered whether the programme met ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ standards for due impartiality.
Outcome
The programme explored how measures of inequality have changed over time, focusing on the UK since the Second World War. Mr Harford explained that income inequality has been coming down since the 1990s and noted βI think thatβll surprise a lot of people because the narrative is that inequality is increasing, itβs almost relentlessβ.
The ECU noted he balanced this by explaining there has been a rise in wealth inequality over the same period. He also drew attention to the fact income inequality is falling globally because the incomes of people in countries such as China and India are growing faster and doing so from a lower base.
This was the context in which, in the ECUβs view, it was necessary to judge Mr Harfordβs comments at the end of the programme when he said βnext time you hear somebody complaining that inequality is getting worse youβll know to ask them which measure they are using and youβll be able to call them outβ. The ECU understood his words to refer back to the fact inequality can be measured in a number of different ways and itβs not always the case that inequality is getting worse, even if that is the public perception.
Not Upheld