The Party recognises continually rising inequality Britain is a huge threat to our economic, social and environmental stability.

The most well-off 1,000 individuals and families now have a combined fortune of just over £547bn, more than the poorest 40 per cent of households combined. In a country where over a million people turned to food banks in the past year, the collective wealth of the richest in Britain has more than doubled in the past decade.

Increasing levels of inequality are fundamentally damaging to our society. And they are not inevitable.

We think the economy should work for us all. We want an economy that is fair, that works for all, and that will address the challenge of climate change and confront rising and unacceptable levels of inequality.

We will introduce a maximum pay ratio of 10:1 between the best paid and the worst paid in every organisation.

We will increase the minimum wage so that it is a living wage. We propose a minimum wage target for everyone who is working in the UK of £10 per hour by 2020. We will also end exploitative zero- hours contract.

We are not afraid to say that our strategy to tackle inequality also involves taxing the wealthiest more. We will increase taxation on the wealthiest individuals and largest corporations, taking the most from those more able to pay to fund the services from which we all benefit. We pledge to introduce a wealth tax of 2 per year on the top 1 per cent. We will increase corporation tax from 20 per cent to 30 per cent (small businesses would remain on 20 per cent). We will raise the top rate of income tax to 60 per cent.

We will invest in our public services, end health service austerity and increase the NHS budget by £12bn a year. We will introduce free universal childcare from the age of 1 until school starting age. And we will introduce free social care for older people, to ensure that everyone has equal access to the services they need to enjoy a decent quality of life.

The is committed to a politics which works for the common good, not just the wealthiest or most powerful.

More equal societies are better for everyone. Reducing inequality should be an urgent priority of any government, and is a key aim of Green Party policies in the upcoming election.

A vote for the Green Party on May 7th is a vote for a more equal society.

Natalie Bennett, Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales.