# Giving Is Good For You: Why Britain should be bothered and give more

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/books/giving-is-good-for-you-why-britain-should-be-bothered-and-give-more/
- Published: 2014-03-07T07:54:13+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Inequality in Britain is on the rise. Does this matter? Should we be bothered 
that the rich give proportionately much less than the poor? And that only a small
minority of the very wealthy are giving generously? **

Ninety per cent of NHS trusts are restricting routine operations. Youth unemployment
is at record levels. Meanwhile, those on the Sunday Times Rich List have increased
their wealth by 280 per cent since the turn of the millennium, amidst press reports
of massive tax avoidance.

For the first time in living memory, children cannot expect to be as well off as
their parents. Wealth and privilege is under scrutiny.

_Giving is Good_ for You demonstrates that growing inequality and poverty is a threat
to everyone even the wealthy and that the most unequal societies are the most dysfunctional,
unhealthy and violent. The generous minority are urging their peers to follow suit,
arguing that in addition to enhancing public benefit as public spending falls, giving
can be personally fulfilling, particularly for those who realise that money is not
the key to human happiness.

 **SEE ALSO: [New book published on why giving is good for you](https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/06/10/new-book-published-why-giving-good-you/)(
10 June 2013)**

The author asks philanthropists, charities and those they support what should be
done to encourage us to give more of our money and more of our time to good causes.
The solutions they propose will challenge us all, but particularly the wealthy elite
and the government.

## WATCH: John Nickson on Giving is Good for You

Howard Lake in conversation with John Nickson

## Reviews

“John Nickson, one of the UK’s most successful fundraisers, shines a rare light 
on how little the rich give. This is a more than important book which, in an age
of austerity, could change lives”
**Jon Snow**

“Spread the word-giving money away feels good. In fact, it is exhilarating. And 
it changes lives. John Nickson knows more about philanthropy than anyone I know 
and explains that altruism and generous acts of giving are vital to ethical societies”
**
Helena Kennedy QC**

**John Nickson is also the author of [Our Common Good](https://fundraising.co.uk/books/our-common-good-if-the-state-provides-less-who-will-provide-more/).

 * **[John Nickson joins UK Community Foundations as a trustee](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/11/12/john-nickson-joins-uk-community-foundations-as-trustee/)(
   12 November 2015)**
 * **[Why do wealthy donors give to charity: a new book ‘Richer Lives’ explains](https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/10/04/why-do-wealthy-donors-give-charity-new-book-039richer-lives039-explains/)(
   4 October 2013)**[](https://fundraising.co.uk/books/giving-is-good-for-you-why-britain-should-be-bothered-and-give-more/void(0))