Why You Won't Get Rich: And Why You Deserve Better Than This
Stories of economic shame in Britain and a hopeful way forward for capitalism

From the bottom to the top of our economy, capitalism is too blunt an instrument to tackle Britain's epidemic of inequality.

Soaring rents, unfair taxation and a growing gig economy have brought about unprecedented economic shame: Amazon warehouse workers living in tents, nurses turning to foodbanks, London firemen commuting hundreds of miles to work.

Even those higher up the ladder are losing their grip on the life they were promised. Barristers take home less than the minimum wage and doctors are starting out with £100,000 student debts on salaries lower than the national average. We’re all facing a new economic phenomenon – in-work poverty. At the same time a generation of young professionals is coming to terms with never being able to own even the cheapest home in their area.

From the bottom to the top of our economy, capitalism is too blunt an instrument to tackle Britain's epidemic of inequality.
Soaring rents, unfair taxation and a growing gig economy have brought about unprecedented economic shame: Amazon warehouse workers living in tents, nurses turning to foodbanks, London firemen commuting hundreds of miles to work.
Even those higher up the ladder are losing their grip on the life they were promised. Barristers take home less than the minimum wage and doctors are starting out with £100,000 student debts on salaries lower than the national average. We’re all facing a new economic phenomenon – in-work poverty. At the same time a generation of young professionals is coming to terms with never being able to own even the cheapest home in their area.
Hard work no longer pays off. But there is hope for a better, fairer future.
1140566133
Why You Won't Get Rich: And Why You Deserve Better Than This
Stories of economic shame in Britain and a hopeful way forward for capitalism

From the bottom to the top of our economy, capitalism is too blunt an instrument to tackle Britain's epidemic of inequality.

Soaring rents, unfair taxation and a growing gig economy have brought about unprecedented economic shame: Amazon warehouse workers living in tents, nurses turning to foodbanks, London firemen commuting hundreds of miles to work.

Even those higher up the ladder are losing their grip on the life they were promised. Barristers take home less than the minimum wage and doctors are starting out with £100,000 student debts on salaries lower than the national average. We’re all facing a new economic phenomenon – in-work poverty. At the same time a generation of young professionals is coming to terms with never being able to own even the cheapest home in their area.

From the bottom to the top of our economy, capitalism is too blunt an instrument to tackle Britain's epidemic of inequality.
Soaring rents, unfair taxation and a growing gig economy have brought about unprecedented economic shame: Amazon warehouse workers living in tents, nurses turning to foodbanks, London firemen commuting hundreds of miles to work.
Even those higher up the ladder are losing their grip on the life they were promised. Barristers take home less than the minimum wage and doctors are starting out with £100,000 student debts on salaries lower than the national average. We’re all facing a new economic phenomenon – in-work poverty. At the same time a generation of young professionals is coming to terms with never being able to own even the cheapest home in their area.
Hard work no longer pays off. But there is hope for a better, fairer future.
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Why You Won't Get Rich: And Why You Deserve Better Than This

Why You Won't Get Rich: And Why You Deserve Better Than This

by Robert Verkaik
Why You Won't Get Rich: And Why You Deserve Better Than This

Why You Won't Get Rich: And Why You Deserve Better Than This

by Robert Verkaik

Hardcover

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Overview

Stories of economic shame in Britain and a hopeful way forward for capitalism

From the bottom to the top of our economy, capitalism is too blunt an instrument to tackle Britain's epidemic of inequality.

Soaring rents, unfair taxation and a growing gig economy have brought about unprecedented economic shame: Amazon warehouse workers living in tents, nurses turning to foodbanks, London firemen commuting hundreds of miles to work.

Even those higher up the ladder are losing their grip on the life they were promised. Barristers take home less than the minimum wage and doctors are starting out with £100,000 student debts on salaries lower than the national average. We’re all facing a new economic phenomenon – in-work poverty. At the same time a generation of young professionals is coming to terms with never being able to own even the cheapest home in their area.

From the bottom to the top of our economy, capitalism is too blunt an instrument to tackle Britain's epidemic of inequality.
Soaring rents, unfair taxation and a growing gig economy have brought about unprecedented economic shame: Amazon warehouse workers living in tents, nurses turning to foodbanks, London firemen commuting hundreds of miles to work.
Even those higher up the ladder are losing their grip on the life they were promised. Barristers take home less than the minimum wage and doctors are starting out with £100,000 student debts on salaries lower than the national average. We’re all facing a new economic phenomenon – in-work poverty. At the same time a generation of young professionals is coming to terms with never being able to own even the cheapest home in their area.
Hard work no longer pays off. But there is hope for a better, fairer future.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781786078070
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Publication date: 04/20/2021
Pages: 304
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Robert Verkaik is the author of Posh Boys: How the English Public Schools Ruin Britain and Jihadi John: the Making of a Terrorist. He writes for the Guardian, Independent, the i, Observer, Sunday Telegraph, Tortoise and Sunday Times. His reporting was longlisted for the Orwell Prize in 2010 and he was a runner-up in the specialist journalist category at the 2013 National Press Awards. Robert is also a volunteer adviser with Citizens Advice.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Road to Wembley 1

1 What Is Rich? The Billionaire Who Thinks Everybody is Worth £660,791 17

2 Survivors: The Insurance Salesman Who Didn't Leave His Home for 4 Years 25

3 First Responders: The Hungry Nurse Who Ate the Patient's Sandwich 35

4 Strugglers: The Boy Who Missed His Mother's Funeral 49

5 Workers: The Mortician Who Became a Hairdresser 61

6 Renters: The Princess and the Paupers 73

7 Millennials: The Travel Agent Who Swapped His Career for a Windsurfer 83

8 Grafters: The City Trader Who Lied About His Holidays 93

9 Taxes: The Single Mother on Benefits Who Went to Prison and the Oligarch Who Didn't 103

10 Born Poor: The Immigrant Who Wanted to be a Social Worker 119

11 Borrowers: The Railway Engine Mechanic Who Lost Her Job and Never Recovered 133

12 Strivers: The £90,000 Lawyer Who Didn't Feel Very Rich 147

13 Savers: The Sailor and the Dinner Lady Who Ran Out of Money Before They Died 157

14 Traders: The Day the Bookshop Didn't Sell Any Books 169

15 The City: The Classic-Car Enthusiast Who Forgot What Kind of Car His Broker was Driving 179

16 Wealth: The World-Famous Mountaineer Who Sleeps in His Ford Mondeo 195

17 Winners: The Numismatist Who Accidentally Cornered the Market 205

18 Generation Poor: The Graduate Who Didn't Want to Move to London 215

19 Coronavirus: The Man Who Tried to Buy Some Toilet Paper 227

20 Enriching Our Society: How We All Get Rich 237

Acknowledgements 257

Notes 259

Index 285

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