RANT - Fed up with life here in the UK

[bodminman]

RANT - I have just been watching Nick Clegg on Daybreak going on about the spiralling gas/electricity bills and how the poorest in society will continue getting their £120'ish fuel allowance. That's great for them but how does it make those middle income families feel who get no benefits what so ever and yet have had to take the spiralling costs of pretty much everything on the chin and haven't had a pay rise for years!?!

 

Appart from the usual bills, you also need a small loan to have a family day out or to even go out for dinner or the cinema with the family.

 

It's been a long time since I have felt this poor!!!!

 

I really feel that I have now been let down by the government for the past 10 years and if I could, I'd be out of this god forsaken country tomorrow but guess what, because of the above I can't save enough money to make it happen!

[witch]

I feel for you but I wonder if it would actually be that much better anywhere else? I have friends in Portugal, Canada, Australia and other European countries who are all saying that life is getting very hard for them due to wage freezes and rising prices.

The middle income families have always been the hardest hit - it is very unfair. I am of the opinion that few politicians actually understand what it is like down here at the sharp end.

I know what you mean about feeling poor - I am very grateful that my children are adults now and I only have two more years of education costs to help with and then I am done.

[localzuk]

There are very few places in the world which have weathered the global financial crisis. So, wherever you think of, they most likely will have had a reduction in income.

 

I've only been able to weather it personally as I've managed to move jobs a couple of times which has increased my salary. My spending ability is about the same now as it was 4 years ago. I'm getting by basically. I can't imagine how difficult it must be for those people who are just above the 'government help' level but below my income.

 

The middle classes have been squeezed, yes, but that's life isn't it? They also get some of the best growth during the good years...

[bodminman]

My disposable income has dropped significantly since 2009.

 

I could get a better paid job but that would then mean the little ones had to go into childcare for a few hours a day. So that would be the payrise chewed up by that and then I'd be worse off because the better paid jobs are in the city where I will have extra travel costs and parking.

 

Just have to sit it out me thinks!

[Greenbeast]

 

I'd be out of this god forsaken country tomorrow but guess what, because of the above I can't save enough money to make it happen!

 

where is better?

[Griff]

Syria?

[ButterflyMoon]

Totally agree Bodminman life is just so hard. I want to know what they aim to do for the single people who have to run a home. We all have a hard time but the gov want to make it look like you only get tax breaks etc if you'r married. What a load of sh1t we working people whether married or not should not have to struggle the way we are in this day and age. Seems to me there is something not right with this whole situation, makes you wonder why work at all? I do work because my ethics would not let me sit idle but it is damned hard wondering if I can heat the house or even as basic as buy decent food.

[GREED]

A recent report stated that the cost of living now outstrips the average income in the UK... so regardless of actually working the average man cannot afford to live.

 

I cannot understand how we have got this way, and more importantly what the future is going to hold...

[witch]

Unless the "common man" actually stops shrugging and saying "oh well, what can you do", nothing will change.

This government (and others before them - not a political rant particularly) ride roughshod over people and those people (that would be us, guys) seem to just take it. Unfair things such as the bedroom tax, benefit cuts, fuel prices, privatisation, university fees, foreign aid etc etc etc etc

And we do nothing

[sted]

Unless the "common man" actually stops shrugging and saying "oh well, what can you do", nothing will change.

This government (and others before them - not a political rant particularly) ride roughshod over people and those people (that would be us, guys) seem to just take it. Unfair things such as the bedroom tax, benefit cuts, fuel prices, privatisation, university fees, foreign aid etc etc etc etc

And we do nothing

 

but all political parties are the same they do what benefits them. Thety will promise you the world and deliver the faroe ilsands. Once they are elected they are all safe for years and will do what big business bribe/cajole them into.

 

so what can any individual do?

[Greenbeast]

We're living in a time of dwindling resources, things will likely not improve.

[witch]

but all political parties are the same they do what benefits them. Thety will promise you the world and deliver the faroe ilsands. Once they are elected they are all safe for years and will do what big business bribe/cajole them into.

 

so what can any individual do?

 

An individual can do nothing. That's my point. There are many examples of governments being made to back down over things because the people made it very clear that it was a step too far. But now people seem to think it isn't worth even trying.

[Achandler]

In all fairness even when people do protest and do things, it makes no difference. Iraq war was what 2 million people on the streets? Ignored... University fees, 100 of thousands protested? Ignored... Even the riots because of lthe killing of Mark Duggan? Ignored... Nothing has changed.

 

Most political parties have similar policies on a lot of things and when you live in a society where people expect the people at the top to all be lying all the time, it can hardly be right.

 

I vote out of principle, not because I believe in any of the political parties. I would prefer a proportional representation system as well, I don't care if Fred won with 30% of the votes, because to me that means 70% of people who bothered to vote didn't want Fred. Lets include the fact only 40% even voted, so infact the vast majority of normal people didn't want Fred but we get him....

 

I think we should have proper proportional representation, whereby if only 40% of the overall population vote, then only 40% of the seats in the houses of parliament are filled. That would make people actually work for the job because someone not voting would be be someone voting against you.

[RabbieBurns]

I got fed up, and took the easy way out and just left. I was lucky enough to have a spare couple of grand put aside which i used to pay for a plane ticket and the first wee while until i found some work.

 

And to answer your question @witch, I personally am 100x better off. I cant speak for Europe or North America, but there are loads of jobs available here (4 notifications today alone for IT jobs in schools in a 20 mile radius, from low level to director). Salary is way higher here for similar roles, and granted cost of living is a lot higher too, but Im living a much more comfortable life here with the low(for here) salary Im on here compared to to the low salary I was on in the UK.

[witch]

I got fed up, and took the easy way out and just left. I was lucky enough to have a spare couple of grand put aside which i used to pay for a plane ticket and the first wee while until i found some work.

 

And to answer your question @witch, I personally am 100x better off. I cant speak for Europe or North America, but there are loads of jobs available here (4 notifications today alone for IT jobs in schools in a 20 mile radius, from low level to director). Salary is way higher here for similar roles, and granted cost of living is a lot higher too, but Im living a much more comfortable life here with the low(for here) salary Im on here compared to to the low salary I was on in the UK.

That's good to hear. As long as you don't get burned to death of course

I don't want to know though - the thought of one of my children emigrating that far away gives me the complete and utter horrors

[detjo]

As Witch said, the common man needs to do something - like the whole country going on strike and saying we've had enough. Fuel prices are a joke. How much of that is tax .. 85% ?? We should all walk to work.

[jallsop]

Hi

 

I can only second Rabbie. As an ex Pat in Europe (almost) I can safely say that life is better out of the UK. I am on a low wage out here, but I have wonderful views, excellent amenities, clean streets, and a government that actually has to listen to the populous and act if that population speak. I have saved money, and had such a great social life without the fear of another governmental screwup, or oppressive regime of inspection, health and safety, etc.

 

I really cannot recommend staying in the uk, at least for another 10 years.

[detjo]

That's it .. we're all of then. C'mon everybody, run along now!

[witch]

Hi

 

I can only second Rabbie. As an ex Pat in Europe (almost) I can safely say that life is better out of the UK. I am on a low wage out here, but I have wonderful views, excellent amenities, clean streets, and a government that actually has to listen to the populous and act if that population speak. I have saved money, and had such a great social life without the fear of another governmental screwup, or oppressive regime of inspection, health and safety, etc.

 

I really cannot recommend staying in the uk, at least for another 10 years.

Switzerland is really expensive though- isn't it?

[jallsop]

Switzerland is really expensive though- isn't it?

 

It can be, but the wages do generally match it. The whole principle is that only one family adult has to work, so wages are higher to reflect that. Average Swiss wage is around 6000-7000 CHF per month, with many on a lot more (approx 4000 to 4500 GBP) before tax. Its not uncommon to have an annual salary in excess of 150,000 CHF. Tax varies by canton (County) but is often less than 20% overall. and you need to pay for healthcare, but inflation is almost 1% max, and has been for years. I live in an expensive area (Ski resort) but you can rent a 3 or 4 bed apartment for not much more than 1000 CHF per month which is around 700 GBP. Food costs more, but fuel is cheaper.

 

The lifestyle more than makes up for it.

[jinnantonnixx]

Damn. So the grass is greener.

[broc]

Politicians of all persuasions seem to forget that most ordinary people aren't interested in politics. They are so involved in their own little world in Parliament they forget about the rest of us. (A bit like teachers in a school sometimes).

 

I think the majority of the general public care more about day-to-day things like their family health, whether they are fed, warm & adequately clothed. It's only when the media whip up a 'storm' about benefit scroungers, immigration, the EU, Plebgate, MP expenses, fat-cat bankers, etc that ordinary people take notice but their attention soon fades as they focus on the pressures in their daily lives.

 

It seems to me we live in a country where at one end of the spectrum we have people who are greedy & selfish & don't care about anyone but themselves & at the other end there are people who think the rest of society owes them a living while they just sit around doing nothing.

 

However, we don't live in fear of being locked up or tortured for disagreeing with the government of the day, or where pregnant women can be locked up if they suffer a misscarriage, or where women can be stoned to death for infidelity, or where children are used as forced labour, or where schools have to employ armed guards.... & no-one is forced to drink dirty water tainted by raw sewage because that's their only supply.....

 

There may be better places to live, but there are many,many worse places to be.

[CHR1S]

The three of us went swimming last Sunday, nearly £15 including a locker!

 

So I whip out the trusty "passport to leisure" card (half price B'ham council) only to be told its just a loyalty scheme now, where I can collect points.

However, if I was on benefits I could get a new card and 2 of us would be in for half price and the little one free.

 

Once again the system rewards those who cant/wont pay for it, giving them even less incentive to actually earn a living.

 

Its not a rant at EVERYONE on benefits, but its becoming a pee take when everything seems to be a reward... here have a free boiler or some free insulation...

 

Ahh Mr Chr1s you need a new boiler, you work? Sucker.... That will be £3000 please...

[Garacesh]

An individual can do nothing. That's my point. There are many examples of governments being made to back down over things because the people made it very clear that it was a step too far. But now people seem to think it isn't worth even trying.

 

I would like to raise a point here. The government, quite simply, don't care. Go ahead. Search their pockets. Empty their bags. Raid their houses. You will find a grand total of zero to give.

 

They know we can't afford to strike/walk out/change drastically en masse.

 

Dislike the absurd petrol taxation? How many of you drive to work? Can you afford to walk it? No. Why? Because 'afford' isn't just fiscally. Work is too far away, that's why you drive. Get the bus then? No. There aren't enough buses for everybody to do that. (Remember, we're talking drastic change en-masse here)

University fees are too high? You can't afford to pay off that student loan? Don't go to uni then. You can't 'afford' that either. You need that medical/law/archeology degree to get into the line of work you've been chasing for ten years.

You don't like Mr. Gove's changes to education? Suck it. Oh, you're going on strike? Good luck doing that for a prolonged period of time. Each day you strike is a days wage lost. Sure, you do it for a day and disrupt thousands of parents lives. Guess what? They get annoyed at you now, not us. Suckers.

Edited October 24, 2013 by Garacesh

[featured_spectre]

Someone asked about a middle income family just above the benefit threshold. I'm right here. We are above the threshold for council tax benefit, housing benefit, working tax credits, income support, and food bank help. We get child benefit and child tax credits, both amount to the tune of £33 combined per week.

 

We are now choosing between heating our house for more than an hour a day, or eating more than once a day (our daughter has 3 square meals).

 

We have cut corners everywhere possible, we make our own bread (cost of making our own including the ingredients and electric for the oven is 60p, whereas the cheapest loaf in the supermarket is 80p), we make our own yoghurt, we grow our own vegetables in our garden (granted not much but better than nothing and can always guarantee freshness). I've even taken to using squirrel traps (with local council authority) to catch and kill squirrels for additional meat in our diet.

 

I am the epitome of thrift, if there is a way to save money, I am probably doing it, but we struggle badly, to the point where we are looking at moving in with the in laws simply so we dont have to shell out as much!