Britons fear rich-poor divide is harming society, poll finds

Almost half of people polled feel the UK has become less fair since the 2010 election

A majority of people believe the gap between the richest Britons and the rest of the country has a corrosive effect on society and the economy, and almost half believe the UK has become less fair since the last election, according to a poll.

The survey, one of the most significant attempts to gauge the public mood about fairness and inequality under the coalition, found significant support for statutory maximum pay ratios to prevent company executives earning more than 65 times the salary of the lowest-paid employee in their company. It was backed by 65%, with only 16% against. This idea even won clear majority support 57% to 26% among those who voted Conservative in 2010.