Prepare for the worst: this inequality rift will tear our society apart | Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett

The biggest rise in inequality since Thatcher is on its way, bringing economic instability, poverty, poor health, increased violence and fear among neighbours

Homelessness and child poverty have risen, the NHS is in dire financial straits, understaffed prisons have record suicide rates, the elderly lack social care - yet the rich continue to get richer, and continue to avoid taxes. This is an expression of abject moral bankruptcy.

But, if the Resolution Foundation's forecast is right, this is just a prelude to the biggest rise in inequality since that seen under Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. And with more inequality there will be a growing need for services of every kind - including more prisons and police. An increasing body of scientific evidence has shown that almost all of the problems related to lower social status get worse when inequality escalates. That goes for poor health and child wellbeing, for violence, school bullying and lower maths and literacy scores.

Related: UK faces return to inequality of Thatcher years, says report

Related: This is the most dangerous time for our planet | Stephen Hawking