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More voters worry about the growing gap between the rich and poor than immigration, Europe or benefits, a new poll has revealed.

Some 80% of the public say it is important for the government to tackle inequality.

This is more than the 78% who say the Government should cut taxes or slash back the benefits bill.

Meanwhile, some 87% say the gap in pay between the rich and poor was “unfair”.

Even among UKIP supporters, eight out of 10 say the Government needs to cut the gap between the rich and poor, according to the ICM poll for the High Pay Centre.

Deborah Hargreaves, director of the High Pay Centre, said: “The message to party leaders is clear - ignore inequality at your peril.

“Concerns about pay gaps are no longer confined to voters on the left. This is now a central issue for voters of all parties – trumping concerns that often get more attention, like the EU and the benefits bill.

“Behind these worries about inequality is a widespread feeling that we need to change the way the economy is run.

“Most people see businesses as organised to benefit their owners and bosses with the rest of us losing out. These results show the depth of public desire for the party leaders to build an economy that works for everyone rather than just a few at the top.”

The findings back Labour leader Ed Miliband who said inequality was “the new centre ground of politics” earlier this year.

Total pay awarded to a Britain’s top 100 company chiefs was £4.3 million in 2012. This is 133 times that of their average employee.