Social class in the UK used to be quite easy to understand. In the days where manufacturing industry was common and few people had professional qualifications or owned their own homes, social class was quite easy to define.

Working class people were those who did not have managerial jobs. They usually worked in labour intensive jobs where working hours and conditions were quite rigid. Home ownership was rare.

Next, there was a small but significant number of people who were middle class. They were well educated, had managerial jobs and professional qualifications. They owned their homes.

The small upper class inherited great wealth from their parents who often had titles and lived in the country. They did not need to work as their investments earned them a comfortable living.

In recent years, especially during and after the period of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the social class make up of the UK changed. Due to the decline of manufacturing jobs, few people work in these industries.

Many formerly working class people have become self employed. Many have also bought their homes. They no longer see themselves as working class.

Because of the changing nature of the economy, for example the impact of new technology and globalisation, there is a need for more professional, better educated workers. Many more people now have degrees and a middle class status. The middle class has grown.

On the other hand, there is arguably a new underclass created in our large cities. These are people who have been socially excluded for a long time. They, and their parents have never worked. They do not have the same work ethic as the old working class and have become trapped on benefits. This is sometimes described as the dependency culture.

In today’s society, the class division between working and middle class is less obvious. The Government uses the National Statistics Classification which is ranked from 1 –8, depending on income, status, control over the work environment and job security. It can then calculate likely tax incomes and plan for pensions and benefits accordingly.

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