Balls goes to Washington to launch report on inequality

David Cameron is about to embark on a two-day trip to the US to meet with President Barack Obama and discuss the relationship between US internet companies and British intelligence agencies in the wake of attacks in Paris.

But the PM isn’t the only one who’s on the other side of the Atlantic this week. This afternoon and tomorrow Ed Balls, Shadow Chancellor, is in Washington DC.

Balls has made the trip to launch a report of the transatlantic Commission on Inclusive Prosperity, which looks at how to spur lower- and middle-class economic growth and higher employment.

In particular, the report – thats Balls has co-chaired with Larry Summers , the former US Treasury Secretary – examines the role globalisation, technology and changing demographics play in increasing economic inequality within countries in the Global North. It argues for embracing free trade and the market economy but also lays out the state’s role in tackling inequality.

Speaking with the FT(£) about Cameron’s record on this subject, Balls explained “His strategy hasn’t worked in the countries that have tried it — it’s not working in Europe today.”

Balls will also meet with Janet Yellen, Chair of the US Federal Reserve, and the US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew.