Despite rising incomes, many high earners from lower socio-economic backgrounds are significantly less likely to invest than their high-earning peers, leaving an estimated £40bn in investment potential untapped, writes Kitty McCormick

Incomes are rising across the UK. However, our latest research reveals a concerning disparity: individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds who now rank among the top 20 per cent of earners are significantly less likely to invest than their high-earning peers. We are calling them the Self-Mades. Despite strong incomes and above-average savings – an average £40,000 per person – the Self-Mades are sitting on a collective £40bn in unrealised investment potential.

To better understand the barriers preventing this successful cohort from effectively building their long-term wealth, we explored the issue in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). The findings are stark. Nearly twice as many Self-Mades (28 per cent) don’t invest any of their monthly income, compared to just 15 per cent of other top earners. Even among those who do invest, Self-Mades allocate a smaller share of........

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