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It feels perverse to say, but I feel like the UK doesn't have enough income inequality.

The effective pay of a person making £80k per year in London isn't really all that different from a minimum wage worker in social housing. Especially when things like child benefit, student loans, and potential council tax reductions are involved.

I think it's better to be at the top of the working class than the bottom of the middle class.

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pjc50 14 days ago | parent [-]

This definitely sounds like you don't know anybody in that category and are judging based on a misleading media impression.

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spacebanana7 14 days ago | parent [-]

Don't the numbers speak for themselves?

£80k a year works out at £4,166.14 per month (assuming plan 2 student loan and 0 pension contributions).

Full time minimum wage works out at £25,397.00 per year or £1,819.48 per month (assuming no student loan or pension contributions).

That works out as a difference of £2,346.66 per month. It's plausible the cost difference between social housing and private rent for a 3 bed in Westminster could make up that difference alone.

Westminister social housing is obviously a favourable case, but we also have to consider benefits:

In the scenario of 2 kids on that min wage salary it seems like you'd get £34.15 per month in universal credit.

Whilst small on its own, the universal credit status unlocks many other benefits and perks. Potential discounts of up to 100% of council tax could be possible depending on local authority (avg council tax in London is £157.75 per month). The NHS low income scheme can be accessed: getting free prescriptions and support with health travel. Another big thing would be getting access to social tariffs on energies and utilities. Together these could add up to hundreds of pounds per month.

The min wage worker would also child benefit at £187.17 monthly.

	▲	n4r9 11 days ago \| parent [-]
		No, those numbers do not speak for themselves. Firstly, if you earned £80k and needed a 3-bed flat, you would categorically not try to live in Westminster. The rent alone would come out well over £3k per month [0]. It's one of the most expensive places to rent in the country. Looking at the disposable income from £80k for a 3-bed flat is highly selective. Secondly, money isn't the only factor when it comes to social housing. Consider that social housing is notoriously ill-maintained and has characteristics in line with the poorest 40% households [1]. And if you do live somewhere unsatisfactory, the waiting time for a 3-bed is around 3 years for non-high-priority applicants [2]. [0] https://committees.westminster.gov.uk/documents/s9851/Afford... [1] https://ifs.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-06/Housing-quali..., p12 [2] https://www.ukpropertymarketnews.co.uk/how-long-does-it-take...