The Distribution of Wealth in the UK
The fourth Birmingham Policy Commission is exploring dimensions of the distribution of wealth in the UK, reviewing existing knowledge on wealth inequality, and questioning the extent to which inequality of wealth is a problem.
Background
The level of wealth inequality in the UK is extremely high and, during the current Global Financial Crisis, public attention is increasingly turning to the top 1 per cent who now own approximately one fifth of all personal wealth in the UK. The recent Occupy protestors have used the phrase ‘we are the 99 per cent’ to draw attention to the very wealthiest and this slogan has started to enter more mainstream discussion. While the top 1 per cent has received most attention, wealth is also concentrated among the top 10 per cent who now own 100 times more wealth than the bottom 10 per cent.
Commission on the Distribution of Wealth in the UK
The fourth Birmingham Policy Commission, chaired by the Right Reverend David Urquhart, Lord Bishop of Birmingham, will explore the distribution of wealth in the UK by reviewing existing knowledge about the distribution of personal wealth across different groups in society, focusing on three particular kinds of personal wealth
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Pensions
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Housing/property
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Financial savings/investments
The Commission will examine the unequal distribution of wealth, including -
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The extent to which, and the ways in which, the unequal distribution of wealth may be a problem for individuals and the economy
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Whether the unequal distribution of wealth is beneficial, for example, through providing incentives for entrepreneurial job creation
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Opportunities to accumulate wealth in the UK
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The relationship between wealth inequality and socio-economic problems and social divisions
Policy options will be considered in the light of the Commission’s enquiries.
Learn more about this Policy Commission
This Policy Commission is jointly led by Professor Karen Rowlingson and Professor Andy Mullineux