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137 Years for Lower-Income Families to Double Living Standards

2/10/2026

24 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Resolution Foundation thinktank reports that at current growth rates, lower-income UK families would need 137 years to double living standards.
Disposable incomes have stagnated for two decades, fueling a mood of unease and potential political disruption.
Lower-income earnings rose by £7,700 since the mid-1990s, with most gains before 2005.
Poorer households pay 12% of income in taxes, compared with 31% for wealthier families.

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Story summary

The Resolution Foundation thinktank reports that at current growth rates, lower-income UK families would need 137 years to double living standards.
Disposable incomes have stagnated for two decades, fueling a mood of unease and potential political disruption.
Lower-income earnings rose by £7,700 since the mid-1990s, with most gains before 2005.
Poorer households pay 12% of income in taxes, compared with 31% for wealthier families.