Our organisation
The Fairness Foundation works to change the debate around fairness in order to build a fairer society.
We are a registered charity (charity number 1044174, company number 02912767) and are non-party-political. Our geographic focus is on England, although on some issues we look across the UK.
Our main funder is the Persula Foundation, but we also receive donations from members of the public, and grants from other sources. Our full list of funders is here. Our annual accounts can be found here: 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22
We do not give out grants ourselves, either to organisations or to individuals - we are a research and education charity, not a funder.
We are proud to be accredited by the Good Business Charter.
We are a UK-only organisation and are unaffiliated with similarly named organisations in Germany and the USA.
Our objectives and approach
Our vision is a Britain where everyone has the ‘fair necessities’ (see below), made possible by building a consensus about what a fair society and economy looks like.
Our mission is to work towards that consensus, by:
- Building a vision for a fairer society and showing that this has broad support across a range of issues
- Inspiring partner organisations to use fairness to reach and influence key audiences
- Persuading decision-makers and influencers of the need to achieve fairness by reducing inequality
We focus on ten issues that span the full range of areas of society and the economy: democracy, education, the environment, health, housing, justice, social security, taxation, wealth and work.
What is fairness?
To build a fairer society, we need a definition of fairness that most people can get behind, and that brings together different ideas of what constitutes fairness. The Fair Necessities sets out our vision, based on five principles that attract majority support from Britons.
Everyone should have their basic needs met so that no one lives in poverty, and everyone can play a constructive role in society
Everyone should have a decent chance to succeed in life, so we should remove the key barriers to equal opportunities
Everyone’s hard work should be rewarded on the basis of their contribution to our society and economy
Everyone should contribute to society by paying the taxes they owe, and in return be supported by society when they need it
Everyone should be treated according to need, enjoying equal respect and equal influence on decisions made in their name
How fair is the UK?
Fair essentials?
People are unable to afford the basics (food, energy, housing, childcare)
Fair opportunities?
Success in life owes more to luck (such as whether you’re born into a wealthy family) than to effort
Fair rewards?
Hard work no longer guarantees a decent standard of living, as many jobs are poorly paid or insecure
Fair exchange?
Public services are crumbling while the wealthy aren’t paying their fair share of tax
Fair treatment?
Some people play by a completely different set of rules, due in part to the influence of money on politics
What are the causes and consequences of unfairness?
Why is fairness important?
The moral argument
A wide range of philosophical traditions emphasise the intrinsic importance of fairness, whether they focus on equal opportunities, equal outcomes, equal treatment or other concepts.
The political argument
The vast majority of people are concerned about unfairness and want a fairer society; fairness is overwhelmingly popular with voters of all political complexions and across all demographic groups.
The policy argument
Fairness underpins a strong and sustainable economy, as well as a healthy society. Societies with high levels of unfair inequality are less productive, efficient and cohesive. A lack of fairness is a threat to democracy.