Footballers 'should have pay cut'

While the UK's best paid soccer players earn millions a year, the poll found people think that, on average, they should be paid just £62,000.

The study for the think tank, which spoke to 3,000 people, also found that respondents were unsure whether Gordon Brown should be paid £187,000 a year.

Instead, they estimate the prime minister should get about £135,000.

Yet at the same time, they thought Mr Brown deserved to be paid more than business leaders.

'Public want change'

At the other end of the pay scale, respondents said that experienced hospital nurses should get a pay rise, from the current typical salary of £21,985 to £33,000.

"This research shows how the British public feels the gap between the richest and poorest workers should be narrower," said Fabian Society editorial director Tom Hampson.

The Fabian Society added that figures from the Institute of Fiscal Studies showed that in 2005/2006, incomes for the poorest fifth of the UK fell by 0.4%, while income for the richest fifth rose by 1.5%.

"Progressive politics should acknowledge that the public want the unfair gap between rich and poor narrowed," added Mr Hampson.

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