Rich Britain
The rise and rise of the new super-wealthy
Stewart Lansley

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A bold agenda for building a fairer society by closing the massive gulf between reward and social contribution

'There is only one difference between $5 million and $50 million – with $5 million you can do what the hell you like; with $50 million you can do what the hell you like in a jet' Jim Manzi, international technology giant

Britain is in the throes of a remarkable social revolution, in which the super-rich are getting and flaunting fortunes on a scale not seen for close to a century - and under a Labour government too.

Rich Britain asks: What is driving this new wealth explosion? Is it permanent? Does it matter? The book explores the lifestyles of today's City deal makers, tycoons, celebrities and foreign billionaires, separates the 'deserving' from the 'underserving' rich, and is the first to challenge the conventional wisdom about the merits of this new super-class.

Rich Britain shows:

How company bosses' soaring salaries have been driven by greed and power, not imroved performance;

How the mega-rich boost their fortunes by manipulating the UK's lax tax laws;

That, despite their escalating wealth, the rich turn out to be meaner than the poor when it comes to giving something back;

That, most of today's personal enrichment stems not from new wealth creation that benefits society as a whole, but from the often questionable means by which a powerful few have seized a larger share of the cake for themselves.

'I don't know how much money I have' Paul Getty

'The Prime Minister only gives audiences to the rich and powerful' Roy Hattersley

'The idea that money doesn't buy you happiness is a lie put about by the rich to stop the poor from killing them' Michael Caine