
About this episode
The episode explores the emotional and economic impacts of debt and the persistence of wealth inequality in the UK through discussions with experts.
What does an 18-month study of residents on a housing estate in southern England tell us about living with debt? Laurie Taylor talks to Ryan Davey from Cardiff University about his new book The Personal Life of Debt - Coercion, Subjectivity and Inequality in Britain, which tries to understand how debt affects people emotionally as well as economically. Laurie is also joined by Sarah Kerr (LSE International Inequalities Institute), whose book, Wealth, Poverty and Enduring Inequality - Let’s Talk Wealtherty, investigates the stubborn persistence of inequality in the UK. Kerr argues that the gap between top and bottom earners has become entrenched and normalised across generations. Producer: Natalia Fernandez
People in this episode
Host: Laurie Taylor
Guests: Ryan Davey, Sarah Kerr
Topics covered
- debt
- wealth inequality
- emotional impact of debt
- economic inequality
- housing estate
- UK society
Keywords
- debt
- wealth inequality
- emotional impact
- economic inequality
- housing estate
- UK
- Ryan Davey
- Sarah Kerr
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Cardiff University, LSE International Inequalities Institute
Books & works: The Personal Life of Debt - Coercion, Subjectivity and Inequality in Britain, Wealth, Poverty and Enduring Inequality - Let’s Talk Wealtherty
More episodes of Thinking Allowed
- Football and gambling · June 9, 2026 · 28 min
- Ethics in sociological research · June 2, 2026 · 28 min
- Suicide, Society and Liveability · May 26, 2026 · 27 min
- Extreme Sports · March 3, 2026 · 28 min
- The demise of Grand Theory? · February 25, 2026 · 28 min
- Gentrification in Detroit and London · February 17, 2026 · 28 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Thinking Allowed podcast page.