Born Unequal
Why we need a progressive pre-birth agenda
Louise Bamfield

ISBN: 9780716330615
£6.95

In Britain, by the time a baby is born, its chances of living a healthy, fulfilling life are already decided. Building on Narrowing the Gap, Louise Bamfield examines the reasons for inequalities at birth and explores the ways in which government can act to support maternal and foetal health.

There is an increasing amount of evidence to suggest that the period before birth is critical in influencing later life chances. If we want to tackle inequality, policy interventions must begin earlier.

While the Government has begun to recognise the need for a pre-birth policy, it has yet to make a progressive case for it. This policy report argues that the Government's attack on child poverty and inequality risks being undermined by the punitive public narrative that has emerged in recent years around anti-social behaviour and the politics of 'respect'. If action to tackle inequalities before birth is to gain the support necessary carry it forward, the Government must make the case for a progressive pre-birth agenda.

• New members can receive a free copy of Born Unequal when they join the Fabian Society. Join online today. Click on 'Join' in the left hand column.
• Individual copies of Born Unequal: Why we need a progressive pre-birth agenda are available for £6.95, plus £1 p+p. ISBN: 9780716330615
• Telephone the Fabian Society bookshop on 020 7227 4900, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or send a cheque payable to 'the Fabian Society' to 11 Dartmouth Street, London, SW1H 9BN.