A STUDY OF INEQUALITY, LOW INCOMES AND UNEMPLOYMENT IN LONDON, 1985-92

This article seeks to establish whether a trickle-down effect benefici al to the low paid has resulted from recent economic policies. The aut hors report on a comparison between data collected in 1985-86 and 1991 -92 on a cross-section of the low paid in London. Their results show e vidence of deterioration in the already precarious labour market posit ion of the low paid and a tendency toward long-term dependency; a gene ral decline in the economic activity of the lowest paid; and a growing gap between top and bottom incomes. In short, relative impoverishment , deepening multiple deprivation and polarization, notably in Greater London.