The New Serfdom

Great Britain is one of the wealthiest, most successful nations in the world. Why, then, do so many people feel short-changed? The old assumption that 'if you work hard and play by the rules, you can get on in life' looks increasingly like a cruel joke. Homeownership, secure employment and fair wages seem like relics of a bygone era. Meanwhile exploitative workplace practices have created a new serfdom, leaving many people trapped in unfulfilling, underpaid work. At a time of huge political upheaval and ever-increasing inequality, this powerful new book asks: how can we build a successful economy, powered by a happy and productive workforce that benefits everyone in the twenty-first century?

Angela Eagle MP has been the Labour MP for Wallasey since 1992 and has served as a minister including in the Treasury, shadow minister and chair of Labour's NEC and National Policy Forum. She is an Honorary Fellow of St John's College, Oxford and lives with her partner, Maria, in London and Wallasey.