Is this a (financially) middle class household these days or not?

I’d say that’s higher than middle class.

It is really unfortunate that nowadays £1k actually isn't that big a mortgage.

This. You can be wealthy and working class and poor and middle class. Class is to do with education and profession, not material wealth. In times past there would have been correlation between the two, but not any longer. For instance a PT university lecture is ‘middle class’, but they could be so poorly paid that they are a tenant in shared digs or someone’s lodger. Still middle class, but pretty penniless. But a plumber, plasterer or other trade can turn in £100k a year if self employed in some areas of the UK, but still working class.

TBH, I’d like to see the concept of ‘class’ tossed on a funeral pyre and for us all to get back to valuing people for what they contribute to society and the economy - whether that be via vocational professions (nursing, teaching etc), volunteering, building businesses or by hard graft of a trade or craft. We used to be a society that admired hard work and dedication and didn’t begrudge anyone who earned a penny in doing so.

I don't think wage defines social class in the UK, or more specifically in England. Traditional social class is a complicated mixture of things, including background, education, and outlook. As a concept, it's outdated, divisive and serves no good purpose. It's a shame it hasn't died out.

“Should not” is all very well & good but my rent, which is relatively cheap, a private rented ex council house, is £1150.

I would love to earn over three times that per month, but I don’t. Most people don’t. £1k on a mortgage with OP’s income is a luxury.

Guidelines suggest that total housing costs, mortgage, insurance, property tax, should not exceed 28% of your gross total income. 🤔 Your son is spending 33% on his mortgage alone. That doesn't leave much disposable income after other household expenses 🤨

No it’s not. It’s nothing to do with your parents once grown up. The official definitions are easily googleable.

working class unskilled or semi skilled earning a wage, often paid by the hour.
middle class, professional workers where further eduction is required, paid a salary.

these are broad brush strokes. With some cracks or over laps, but that’s about rhe size of it.

The fact you care shows middle class snob so yes! 🤣🤣

Yes ours is £1400 on a piddly 2 bed cottage!

Class isn’t just based on income. God forbid. You would have any old riff raff thinking they were upper class. Eg the beckhams.

Stop showing off. People are genuinely struggling

The old fashioned "class" structure no longer exists in todays society. What used to differientiate people was often very clear but this is no longer the case.

Please stop trying to group people into classes.

Income after tax £5,200 for one adult and one DC not middle class? You what???

There's no such thing as "financially middle class."

I’m so confused. This is a salary of 90k ish a year. It’s not loads but it’s comfortably above average so pretty middle class I’d say?

I'm not confused at all. This is one of two things: either

1. (yet) another poster with severe levels of financial dysmorphia (objectively very well off, but thinking they're on the poverty line, often heard whining about how they don't qualify for means-tested benefits,); or

2. a deliberate attempt to divide, by making objectively well-off and comfortable middle-income people feel thoroughly inadequate. Often seen in threads about benefits claimants bringing in £75k and living it large on taxpayers' expense.

Since this particular OP has never posted on another thread besides this one, ever, I'm going with Russian bot farm and 2).

I’m so confused. This is a salary of 90k ish a year. It’s not loads but it’s comfortably above average so pretty middle class I’d say?

The mortgage at 1k is pretty low from where I’m coming from (as a single person my first mortgage about 15 years ago was much higher than this) so the person is fortunate in that respect.

I'm pretty certain that they go above the plate too, ready for the butler to move them into their proper position (fork left, spoon right) before dessert is served. That's what my staff always did.

Are you sure about the pudding part? Everything I can find says that's where they're supposed to go.

It’s pretty standard

I thought 4 bed detached was the ultimate badge of the middle class.

A lot of people would consider it a huge house or two people

How they lay their table is a much bigger clue...

If pudding spoon and fork are above the plate they're just rich but common.

If they own fish knifes and forks they're aspirational.

Personally don't think it has much to do with income, but more to do with mindset, values and who you socialise with. Education and profession may have some weighting but don't think it's a key factor.

I think upbringing can shape those values, but doesn't mean people can't be socially mobile.

Seriously? Why?

Class isn't defined by income. How you earn it and how you spend it are much more relevant.