do share divs get a better per centage return than cash savings?
Some do, and British companies more than most.
However this is not necessarily a good thing.
Look at Total Shareholder Return.
For example, you buy 1000 of company X for £1 each.
A year later, you have received 4p each in dividends
And the price is £1.01
I buy 1000 of company Y at £1 each
A year later I have received 2.3% in dividends
And the price is £1.10 each.
Bill bought 1000 shares in company GXO and received 6.5% dividends
And the share price dropped by 31%
Outside UK, it is widely thought that a company making decent profits should invest in itself for future growth.
In some cases, it would be better not to. For example you own one (and only one) coal mine or nuclear power station which is approaching the end of its life, or a Lottery concession which is about to expire.