The numbers game - 7:84 and 0.6:100

Tools

Howieson, Stirling (2008) The numbers game - 7:84 and 0.6:100. Scotregen, Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum (Issue ). (http://www.scotregen.co.uk/pdf.pl?file=surf/news/s...)

[thumbnail of pdf.pl?file=surf%2Fnews%2Fscotregen_43_web.pdf]
Preview
 PDF. Filename: pdf.pl?file=surf%2Fnews%2Fscotregen_43_web.pdf
Download (1MB)| Preview

Abstract

When touring the highlands with a new theatrical production the director of a famous Scottish theatre company was reputedly asked by a petrol pump attendant the significance of the 7:84 ratio displayed on a poster adhered to the vehicle. He politely explained that it represented the imbalance of wealth distribution in Britain. The attendant admiring the Director's new car retorted... 'fair enough, but do you have to flaunt it?' When it comes to land ownership in the UK the 7:84 ratio represents something akin to communism, with only 0.6% of the UK population owning 100% of the land. A remarkable proportion of this tiny percentage is made up of families who arrived in Britain some time ago. The Duke of Westminster who owns Belgravia (and another 140 000 acres) can trace his roots back to Hugh de Gras Venuer who seized these considerable tracts of land - circa 1066 - in 'negotiations' that did not require the input or exorbitant fees now demanded by the legal profession.

ORCID iDs

Howieson, Stirling ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4169-4542;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)