Professor Stephen Machin will host the 2026 Stone Centre Annual Public Lecture titled "What's different about wage inequality today?" on Wednesday 21st October 2026. Inequality today looks very different from the rapidly rising inequality of the 1980s and 1990s. The minimum wage has held up the bottom of the hourly wage distribution, but wages above it have stagnated, hours and contracts have become more uncertain, and the composition of family income has changed. In this year's Stone Centre Annual Lecture, Stephen Machin will look at what has really shifted in labour market inequality over the last several decades, and what it means for the cost-of-living crisis, housing, and current debates on zero-hour contracts, stamp duty, and wealth taxes. 16.30 Doors open 16.45 Welcome and introudctions 17.00 Lecture starts 17.45 Q&A 18.15 Reception

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