Remember that as Winter Approacheth .
Gold has run its course one assumes , now would be time to sell as at $4000 + .
It now looks very overvalued .
Should settle for next twenty years @ $3000 - $5000 .
Check again in 2050 . Tick bbr391
Happy Autumn ALL
Understanding wealth distribution can be eye-opening, especially when looking at the top 1 percent net worth in the UK. These households hold a significant share of the nation’s wealth.
This article explores what it takes to join this exclusive group and what it means for wealth distribution in the UK. Whether you’re concerned about income inequality or aspiring to reach the top 1%, these insights offer a clearer picture of the numbers behind the divide.
If you are in the top 1% of households in the UK by net worth, you belong to an exclusive group that:
The latest available data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Wealth and Assets Survey (2018-2020) found that households in the top 1% had a net worth over £3.6 million. This includes property, pensions, investments, and savings, minus any debts.
However, since 2020, rising property prices and stock market growth suggest, that the more realistic figure for the top 1 percent net worth in the UK is currently closer to £4 million or even higher.
| Wealth Group | Net Worth (£) |
|---|---|
| Top 1% | Over 3.6 million (∼4 million today) |
| Top 2% | Over 2.5 million |
| Top 5% | Over 1.4 million |
| Top 10% | Over 800,000 |
| Bottom 50% | £302,500 |
| Bottom 10% | £15,400 or less |
The median household wealth in Great Britain, however, was approximately £302,500 during the 2018-2020 period. This figure is heavily influenced by the wealth of the top 10%, especially the top 1%, which skews the average higher.
While there is no official UK data on the top 1% net worth by age, the following table shows the total wealth for different age groups, highlighting how wealth accumulates over time. Median wealth represents the middle point in wealth distribution, meaning that half of households have wealth above this amount, and half have wealth below it.
| Age Group | Total Wealth (£) |
|---|---|
| 16 to 24 years | 22,300 |
| 25 to 34 years | 76,800 |
| 35 to 44 years | 198,100 |
| 45 to 54 years | 366,600 |
| 55 years to under State Pension age | 553,400 |
| State Pension age and over | 468,700 |
This table illustrates how, on average, wealth grows as individuals age, with a significant increase seen in the 25-34 and 35-44 age ranges, continuing through to the 55+ age group.
Related: Are You Considered Rich in the UK? Here’s How to Know
The wealthiest 1% hold more wealth than the bottom 80% combined. The wealthiest 10% own 43% of all wealth, while the bottom 50% hold only 9%.
Pensions and investments widen this gap. The top 1% have an average pension wealth of £2 million. In contrast, the poorest households in the bottom 10% have little to no savings. For example, the least wealthy 10% have a wealth of £15,400 or less. Over half of this wealth is in physical assets, like property. Many in this group also have more debt than assets, actually making their net worth negative.
Property wealth and physical assets are mainly owned by the richest households. For poorer households, physical assets make up the majority of their wealth. For wealthier households, pensions are the largest component.
Organizations like Oxfam’s Fight Inequality Alliance and Patriotic Millionaires advocate for policies to reduce wealth gaps. They call for higher taxes on the wealthy and big corporations. Their goal is a fairer distribution of wealth.
These disparities also affect financial resilience. Wealthier households can afford private education and more opportunities. The poorest face greater challenges, making it harder for younger people to climb the wealth ladder.
In the UK, a “high net worth” typically refers to having £1 million or more in liquid assets, excluding the value of one’s home. Ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) have assets of £30 million or more. The top 1% often overlap with these categories, but their wealth is typically tied up in assets such as real estate, stocks, businesses, and pensions.
Several factors have contributed to the growing wealth of the top 1% in the UK:
Income and wealth are closely linked but not the same. To be in the top 1% of earners in the UK, you need to make over £199,000 per year before taxes. In comparison, the median income for full-time employees is £37,430.
Being a top 1% income earner doesn’t mean you have a top 1% net worth, and vice versa. Wealth is often built through investments, property, and inheritance, not just salary. For example, someone may have significant wealth from property or stocks but earn a modest income. Official data measures income as salary or wages, not capital gains, dividends, or business income. These assets contribute to wealth but are not counted as “income.”
It’s also worth noting that official data measures net worth by household and income by individual.
The top 1% threshold in the UK is relatively modest compared to some other wealthy countries. Let’s explore how the UK compares to the rest of the world based on data from the Knight Frank Wealth Report 2024:
Some other affluent nations have lower thresholds for the top 1%:
The UK aligns closely with European averages, highlighting stark contrasts in global wealth distribution and the economic factors influencing them. From property values to financial systems, these differences shape the varying definitions of being among the world’s wealthiest.
Reaching a top 1% net worth in the UK involves a combination of strategic financial decisions, entrepreneurship, and in some cases, luck and family wealth. Here are common paths to achieving such wealth:
Many of the richest people in the top 1% inherit significant wealth. This often includes assets like property, investments, or family businesses. Inheritance allows individuals to benefit from accumulated family wealth, providing a strong foundation for reaching the top 1%.
Starting and scaling a successful business is one of the most common ways to amass significant wealth, especially for those without family wealth. Historically, wealth was passed down through generations, but with the rise of digital opportunities, it’s easier than ever for individuals with no family wealth to get started.
Strategic and consistent investing in stocks, bonds, or real estate can accumulate substantial wealth. Shareholders often build wealth by holding onto appreciating assets, such as property or equity in high-growth companies. For example, long-term property investments can yield significant returns. However, to reach the top 1% net worth, you need a considerable amount of disposable income and/or the ability to invest over a long period for the money to compound
Real estate has been a consistent path to wealth, especially for those who invest early. Property wealth is a significant component of net worth for the top 1%. Rising property values, particularly since the financial crisis, have contributed to a large decrease in affordable housing for lower incomes, while significantly boosting wealth for property owners.
While winning the lottery is extremely unlikely, it can immediately elevate someone to the top 1%. However, this is purely a matter of luck, not strategy, and doesn’t reflect long-term wealth-building like other paths mentioned here. In fact, very few lottery winners can maintain their wealth long after they win.
High earners can reach the top 1 percent net worth in the UK with the help of high-paying jobs. However, top executives or professionals with top incomes still need to invest and manage their money wisely to maintain and grow their wealth. High earners also tend to be part of an affluent social circle, with access to opportunities that help increase their wealth.
Related: How the “Rich Friends Effect” May Help You Build Wealth
Many top earners and high-net-worth individuals use tax-efficient strategies to retain more of their wealth. Some relocate to tax havens or employ legal methods to reduce their tax burden. This practice helps preserve wealth, which can then be reinvested into growing assets.
Wealthy households often prioritise education, sending their children to private schools or top universities. This provides access to high-paying careers and influential social circles, contributing to long-term wealth accumulation. However, investing in education is not exclusive to the top 1%, as a third of families with children in private schools in the UK have below-average incomes.
To join the top 1 percent net worth in the UK, you need assets exceeding £3.6 million. However, this figure has likely risen to at least £4 million since the latest ONS data was published in 2020.
This threshold reflects a combination of rising property prices, robust investment growth, long-term wealth accumulation, and tax planning strategies.
Property ownership, pensions, and investments are key to wealth accumulation for the richest households. These assets help explain why the top 1% continue to see their wealth grow, even as income inequality remains a major concern for many.
One sees problems ahead as the Poor begin to realise the Inequilibrium .
Ay up Bazza, thank you for the message and for having me to stay at Christmas, much appreciated, hope the present was ok and thank you for your kind gifts too. Eeeeee you can't beat the air (and water and people) oop North. Hope you saw enough of the evil weed to keep you going for another year lol. I've a couple of days off so with tax return hopefully out the way for the year will be finishing both series of the Likely Lads on YouTube and maybe a book or two! Global news continues to be on a rather pessimistic trajectory one might say, so I shall continue to be somewhat disinclined to engage with mass media, indubitably! PS aah cheers cuz, you ain't so bad yourself neither, me ol' china :) All best wishes to you & say hi to Joy and Auntie Junie and all, great to see you all looking well!Take care x
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A little Reminder of a bot of Cornwall`s fine Individualism
Sir James Dyson has lost his libel claim against the publisher of the Daily Mirror at the High Court.
The inventor, 76, brought legal action against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) over an article published in January 2022.
In the Daily Mirror article, journalist Brian Reade referred to the engineer as “the vacuum-cleaner tycoon who championed Vote Leave due to the economic opportunities it would bring to British industry before moving his global head office to Singapore”.
Mr Reade continued: “Kids, talk the talk but then screw your country and if anyone complains, tell them to suck it up.”
Sir James subsequently brought the claim against MGN, describing the allegations in the article as a “vicious and vitriolic” personal attack which undermined his work encouraging young people into engineering.
The publisher defended the case, including by arguing that Mr Reade’s article was “honest opinion”.
And in a judgment on Friday, Mr Justice Jay dismissed the inventor’s claim, finding both that MGN’s defence had succeeded and that Sir James had not proved he suffered serious harm to his reputation.
He said: “In the present case the claimant cannot demonstrate that he has suffered financial loss as a result of these publications. Nor can he show that his philanthropic work, particularly directed to young people and schools, has been harmed in any way.”
In the 34-page ruling, the judge described Sir James as “an honest witness albeit one with a particular world view”, after the engineer gave evidence at the London court over two days in November.
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Although It is a lot easier to challenge aspersions with oodles of cash .
Power to the People
“For example, CEOs [from] 60 years ago might have been making four to six times more than what the workers are receiving,” he said. “The last figure I saw, it’s 600 times more than what average workers are receiving.”
As the POPE espouses . The Greed encapsulated by Certain Regimes has discombobulated Society Norms too a State of Uncertainty .
One hopes the Persons in Question can Manoeuvre The Populous , back towards the Old Equilibrium .
AS for Ours own Equilibrium , with Retirement approaching , my use towards Society is becoming less Manual and more Utilitarian .
How things Change is Amazing & Life continues to bring Wonderful things to Humanity .
Bbr391
NHS
Secured £400m investment to boost clinical trials, improving NHS services and driving growth.
Announced that over 1,000 more GPs will be recruited this year, supporting NHS services.
Set out his long-term plan to rebuild our NHS for good and transform services over the next 10 years.
Transport
Ended train strikes, delivering for passengers.
Launched new legislation to bring the UK's railways back into public ownership which will improve rail services.
Given communities more power over their local bus services.
Housing
Banned no-fault evictions and introduced new protections for renters.
Delivered planning reform to build the homes we need.
Announced ‘Homes for Heroes’ - a programme to ensure all UK Armed Forces Veterans as well as domestic abuse survivors and care leavers have a roof over their head.
Crime and Border Security
Kickstarted a plan to restore neighbourhood policing.
Scrapped the wasteful Rwanda scheme and launched a Border Security Command to smash the criminal smuggling gangs and improve the UK's border security.
Education
Launched a Curriculum and Assessment Review to help improve schools.
Started the drive to recruit 6,500 teachers nationally, improving the education system.
Launched Skills England to transform opportunities and drive growth.
Scrapped single headline Ofsted grades in schools in landmark school reform.
Overhauled apprenticeships through a new Growth and Skills Levy.
Supported parents by announcing the first stage of the government's plan to deliver 3,000 school-based nurseries.
Announced the Children's Wellbeing bill which will remove barriers to opportunity and make sure the school system is fair for every child.
Kickstarted the rollout of free breakfast clubs for all primary school children through an early adopters scheme.
Economy and employment
Unveiled new measures to support small businesses impacted by late payments.
Scrapped the ban on onshore wind and unblocked solar schemes to deliver lower bills and good jobs.
Announced improved employment rights for workers, with a package of reforms that will Make Work Pay - including ending exploitative zero hour contracts, providing statutory sick pay from day one, and ending fire and rehire.
Secured a record 131 new green infrastructure projects which will create jobs and drive growth.
Announced a new National Wealth Fund to unlock private investment.
Introduced a new Fiscal Lock Law to deliver economic stability and protect family finances.
Announced new Covid Corruption Commissioner to get back what is owed to people.
Launched landmark pensions review to support pensioners.
Environment
Launched a new Floods Resilience Taskforce to turbocharge flood preparedness and support delivery of flood defences.
Delivered new measures to penalise water bosses who pollute waters.
Announced a new deal for farmers, which will go further to support farmers, boosting rural economic growth and strengthening Britain's food security.
Cost of living
Launched the Warm Homes Plan to deliver lower energy bills and lift over one million households out of fuel poverty.
Established the Child Poverty Taskforce, working across government departments to tackle child poverty.
Working to drive up Pension Credit applications.
Extended the Household Support Fund to support struggling households with bills and essential costs over winter.
Defence
Launched a new Armed Forces Commissioner who will be a strong, independent champion to improve life for UK service personnel and their families.
Awarded our armed forces the largest pay increase in decades which will renew the nation's contract with those who serve.
The Tories presided over 14 years of decline, undermined our public services, and wrecked our economy.
Keir Starmer's Labour Government is getting on with the job, fixing the foundations of our country and delivering the long-term change Britain needs.
