This short piece, as the title suggests, is concerned to explore the links between inclusion and equality in analysis and action, particularly community development action, to address poverty and exclusion. It is presented acknowledging the extremely difficult times being faced by the country as a whole, and also the way in which these difficulties are being unequally visited on groups already experiencing poverty and inequality. It is also presented at a time when, in spite of major national difficulties, the placing of inclusion and equality, rights, recognition and redistribution matters under the remit of the same Government department, can provide for the first time one overall structural framework for policy-making and practice.