Hard Work Pays Off explores the lies, untruths and distortions that exist in political discussion of poverty, privilege, ‘hard work’ and social mobility in the UK. The discourse has long focussed on motivational stories of success, the ‘one that got ahead’, ‘the boy done good’ but while anecdotes can inspire, the reality for many people in the UK is a lack of opportunities, an inability to change their situation and a disillusionment with political powers.