Just so concerned about this country

[ninnynonny]

To be honest, we, as a family are 'ok'. We're by no means well off but have a reasonable income and not huge outgoings (at the moment); but I am so worried about the state of the country economically. Just watching the national and local news today - the cost of living is insane; the Government is a huge mess - with no sign of any of them giving a monkeys about the populus, and so many thousands of people are struggling and will be in a terrible position over the next few months.
How on earth is this sustainable? What is going to happen when people simply cannot afford to, well, live, basically.
I work in the homelessness sector and can only see more families and individuals coming through the doors - and with massive funding cuts, honestly, what will happen?
I'm feeling a little hysterical over it all, for want of a better word!!
Will things improve - what has to happen?

I think this is an issue in just about every country.

@isthismylifenow

Ah, that’s alright then.

I keep hearing this but I don't see it...I'm not denying it's happening but everywhere I look there are brand new cars and houses with loads of building work going on. Are the poor hidden away? Genuine question.

I feel the same, OP. Like you, we are 'ok' and (I think) can make adjustments to get by. But life is squeezing so many people from so many angles. I honestly don't know what the answer is, but I do feel so sad for our country that in time of such need we have had a government who are almost entirely without moral fibre and integrity. I feel genuinely sad over how different things could have been.

Comedycook - not hidden, just invisible to most. The gap between 'rich and poor' is ever widening and it's easy to overlook those whose reality isn't even believed by some.

So you not think that your view may be coloured by the sector you work in and your own personal circumstances?

Yes there are many that are not doing so well but there are also many that are doing well and will continue to do well.

I live in a city with a massive rich/poor divide and see both due to my job and then my friends. I know there's no apparent answer at the moment but it's just so grim. The energy bills issue seems bonkers. I'm not an economist at all, but why are they going up so insanely?
I guess we as a country have been through this before but somehow it seems so much worse. I worry so much for my children and grandchildren

@Shapiro

So you not think that your view may be coloured by the sector you work in and your own personal circumstances?

Yes there are many that are not doing so well but there are also many that are doing well and will continue to do well.

Possibly to a point but also looking at the facts and the news. Even as a reasonably ok family, we are fully aware of the increase in food and energy prices. It's obvious that things are going up in price rapidly. Do those who are doing really well see it, or does it not matter to them? I guess that's a while other question!

We can’t keep consuming at the rate we have been. Things need to get more expensive so we simplify our lives and stop buying endless tat. Yes, there will be some hardship for many people, and I do feel sorry for those who will struggle with the basics however.

Depends what your disposable income is and what you class as essentials

I am classes as poor
Low income
Single parent
Private rental
35/ week job
Get £120/ month of ex
Have one DD 8 12 days out of 14

Heating (gas and electric) is only £50/ month at the moment I am already frugal with food and fuel

What can I change

Daughters clubs
Holidays
Present spending

I have a car that I need as I live rural
Don't do much shopping in town just supermarket

I can manage but I am frugal anyway
I do get benefits

I think some people don't realise what is TRULY essential

I feel very uncertain about the state of it all, angry, irritated and downright angry. personally rising inflation and living costs affect my family and they have been affecting my husbands business for a while along with Covid etc. i also see a different side with some I know doing better than ever and feel it’s all good economically. I do feel however that it will catch up with them and the belief that the government will sort it is wildly misplaced. I also feel incredibly angry that are PM and government aren’t running the country and seem out of touch with the day to day reality of many. However this is nothing new.

This happens in cycles- think the crash of 2008, the “winter of discontent” the poll tax riots. Back then there was also the ever present threat of nuclear war. The papers sell when they write scary headlines and we click on them. This is why you will see eye-catching, highly dramatic headlines. Two months ago, sage were talking about multiple thousands of people dying daily with Omicron as a worst case scenario. That didn’t happen. We’ve been worried about Kim Jong Un and Russia invading Ukraine and climate change and you know what? You just need to make your peace with it, read the paper a little less often, be kind to your loved ones and find joy in your daily life.

It’s the lack of control and uncertainty that really creates anxiety. You can control your home and your own life though. You can control what you read. You can control how you feel about the things you read. And when 25 years go past and we are all amazingly still here, despite all the frightening things going on around us, you will realise- choosing to not feel anxious over things we cannot control made you a happier, more resilient person.

@Comedycook

I keep hearing this but I don't see it...I'm not denying it's happening but everywhere I look there are brand new cars and houses with loads of building work going on. Are the poor hidden away? Genuine question.

What would you expect to "see" though? You can't see into houses to see if the heating is on or if there is food in the fridge, can you? I live and work in a hugely socioeconomically diverse area. All around me are huge cars and loft conversions. But we have several food banks in a relatively small area, often have local FB campaigns for families that are being evicted (through no fault of their own) and are being rehoused in other towns miles away from their jobs and support networks. I agree with you OP, I'm worried too. I'm ok, right now at least, but many many aren't and it's only going to get worse I fear.

By the time the new expected energy price cap kicks in then the number of houses in fuel poverty, in which it amounts for more than 10% of household income, from 9% to 27%. Which is crazy.

Watching the news tonight , interviewed a single mother who was struggling to feed her kid. Beautifully coiffeured hair, false eyelashes, sculpted eyebrows. Looked expensively made up.
Speaks volumes

@Georgeskitchen

Watching the news tonight , interviewed a single mother who was struggling to feed her kid. Beautifully coiffeured hair, false eyelashes, sculpted eyebrows. Looked expensively made up. Speaks volumes

Is beauty the new flat screen TV and Sky subscription?

You can get false eyelashes in the poundshop, ditto hair styling products. Please do not immediately assume that she is spending just on herself. This is a real stereotype- single mother on benefits going to the nail bar. I know many people who take care of their appearance and value what they have while spending very little- in fact that’s WHY they do it. They looker richer and that gives them higher status because why would you want anyone to know you are on your knees and watching every penny. Pride is free you know.

@Georgeskitchen

Watching the news tonight , interviewed a single mother who was struggling to feed her kid. Beautifully coiffeured hair, false eyelashes, sculpted eyebrows. Looked expensively made up. Speaks volumes

Newsflash. Person goes on tv and wants to look nice.

For all you know her best mate Nikki Clarke could have done it as a freebie.

Eight million more people in the UK since 2001.
The elephant in the room nobody ever talks about.
About time we had an adult convervation, about how many people can stand on this rock.

The poor and downtrodden are invisible in this country. It's an absolute fucking disgrace.

@Georgeskitchen

Watching the news tonight , interviewed a single mother who was struggling to feed her kid. Beautifully coiffeured hair, false eyelashes, sculpted eyebrows. Looked expensively made up. Speaks volumes

The problem with closed minds is there's mouths are always wide open.

Really interesting points of view. Also unimpressed with the assumption that 'the poor' aren't allowed to look nice. Scruff them up a bit eh, or they must be lying - ffs