dunraven To earn my high income I must have childcare for 60 hours a week and I need access to a financial center, which in the UK is London. The cost of that here in the Us is about $3500. In the U.K. this would cost me about £40k a year. My £100k a year as a single parent would amount to about £2k a month for living expenses. That isn't a lot when long hours as a single parent. It's also why childcare should be fully deductible. A taxable income of £60k is vastly different to a taxable income of £100k. If employment is London based everyone would agree that £60k a year isn't a lot. I would be ok. I could use a family home at no cost but I'm not blind to the fact that I'm extremely lucky to have that option and in reality it's not an option for others.
This is why so many families are in poverty. You can't catch up let alone keep up. Only the minority can get ahead and it's normally a combination of grandparents providing childcare and help with a deposit for housing.
As for pensions and home equity being included in savings, I think you miss the point. If your washing machine broke and it's £350 to replace it, how are you going to pay for it the day your machine breaks if you only have £100 in savings or possibly less?
french I guess you own London property purchased before 2000.