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?

About time we had an adult convervation, about how many people can stand on this rock.

We need to have an adult conversation about the ageing population & the impacts of that.

Yes, ninnynonny, I'm very worried too. I work in the charitable sector with the elderly and many of them will be hit very hard by the massive increase in fuel costs. They are a particularly vulnerable group physically, anyway. That said, I'm just as worried for everyone else.

I think this whole country is a mess. There is barely any public service (police, social services, prisons, hospitals, education, courts) that isn't on the brink of disaster. Housing costs, for most, are just too high (that's mainly why people are struggling).

And, wow, some really stupid comments on this thread!

It gets to a point where you have to question is there actually any point. An extortionate cost to live in a country where life is hardly worth living. Public services are all but non existent, people are miserable and hostile, loneliness is rife and on top of that the weather is continuously shite. Houses are shoddily built and cost about 10× what many people could ever afford.

Pot noodle nation

The housing market has fucked the country & yes I'm a home owner. It's ridiculous to have so much income tied up
in housing, not good for productivity, not good for social cohesion.

I manage a foodbank and after a hellish Christmas we are gearing up for a rough ride over the next few months- at least. The poor are getting poorer, and every month the pool of pool people is getting deeper and wider. Its horrendous. People don't just need food, they need support services like mental health provision, social work, addiction services etc and that has all been cut to the bone. I feel bloody furious with the politicians- I know there's been a pandemic etc but surely just by getting those who skive their taxes (Amazon etc) we could make a big dent in our budget cuts. I feel scared by what's to come.

I meant pool of poor people

@LightSpeeds

Yes, ninnynonny, I'm very worried too. I work in the charitable sector with the elderly and many of them will be hit very hard by the massive increase in fuel costs. They are a particularly vulnerable group physically, anyway. That said, I'm just as worried for everyone else.

I think this whole country is a mess. There is barely any public service (police, social services, prisons, hospitals, education, courts) that isn't on the brink of disaster. Housing costs, for most, are just too high (that's mainly why people are struggling).

And, wow, some really stupid comments on this thread!

Exactly all this. I try really hard to be positive and know there are very good people in the country, but how can we make those who really don't care (and assume owning a hairdryer means single mothers are faking poverty) actually understand?

Gas prices may well go up more if the looming Ukrainian crisis occurs, and the chess pieces are moving in a way which indicates it may. Can recommend a 100w electric throws to keep warm x

@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.

Clearly you don't work in the sectors dealing with those living in poverty and struggling. I can assure you they are not hidden, people just choose to not see them.

The brexit dividend? What is that exactly?
What benefits does Brexit actually bring? Please enlighten us @AuntyBumBum

You'd be amazed the shit that goes on behind the doors of those "big, nice houses" with the "big cars" on the drive.

I live in an affluent area of my town...but its not far as the crow flies to the most deprived area. Local council estate, lots of substance abuse issues, mh problems, family breakdown, dv...

The local catchment school has opened a foodbank.

But driving through our "quaint" Town with its gift shops, deli, boutiques...you'd never know.

I can assure all of you saying you don't see it, you just aren't looking hard enough.

@obusrath I'm sure many politicians don't really understand (or even care) because they don't need to. Ask a Tory a) how much their heating or b) shopping bill is? Or c) what they'll be cutting down on when fuel prices shoot up in April.

(Answers: a) No idea b) No idea c) Nothing)

@Costacoffeeplease

The brexit dividend? What is that exactly? What benefits does Brexit actually bring? Please enlighten us *@AuntyBumBum*

The dividend that JRM says won't be discernable for 50 years???

I’ve been having sleepless nights about this, has anyone else? I’m on a fixed rate mortgage thankfully and will be saving every penny I can. I’m terrified of not being able to keep a roof over my childrens heads. The Government won’t do anything they don’t give a fuck.

We need to have an adult conversation about the ageing population & the impacts of that

Looking on the bright side , life expectancy has gone backwards a tiny bit , probably due to covid, but it was plateauing before that. It has only increased by 10 years in the last 50.

@obusrath

I manage a foodbank and after a hellish Christmas we are gearing up for a rough ride over the next few months- at least. The poor are getting poorer, and every month the pool of pool people is getting deeper and wider. Its horrendous. People don't just need food, they need support services like mental health provision, social work, addiction services etc and that has all been cut to the bone. I feel bloody furious with the politicians- I know there's been a pandemic etc but surely just by getting those who skive their taxes (Amazon etc) we could make a big dent in our budget cuts. I feel scared by what's to come.

Me too.

I'm scared of the next few months.

The UC uplift helped so many avoid needing foodbanks.

That being removed, plus the NI rise for the poorest workers, the rocketing fuel prises, rising food prices, will push so many just managing people into food poverty.

But tbh most people don't care.

Perhaps it's human nature to look away from distressing things? To pretend you don't see? "Oh, that could never happen to me"?

@LightSpeeds and of course they can claim for their utilitiy bills on their second property if their constituency is outside London.

I work in a MAT with its own very well used food bank.

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.
Don’t be so silly. There’s plenty of room.

We are going through the effects of the pandemic. This is globalised and if you think is bad here I can tell you is not the worse place to be. Things will start to get better as the economy recovers. There are many job vacancies and benefits in the U.K.

About the government be careful what you wish for. It could end up being like everyone is poor, middle class disappears and the richest go.

I can see positive things that the government have been doing. However, people who were already on the bread line with many kids will struggle.

Looking on the bright side , life expectancy has gone backwards a tiny bit , probably due to covid, but it was plateauing before that. It has only increased by 10 years in the last 50.

I know but it's still a huge issue, dropping fertility rates & lower immigration. If the NHS & social care system are in tube state they are now, imagine 10, 20 yrs time. It terrifies my more than climate change tbh.

I’m really anxious too OP. On paper DH and I have good jobs and an ok income. But due to a high mortgage (which I regret now) high childcare costs and soon to be bigger costs (interest rates, reduced income due to NI hikes, childcare costs going up soon, huge increase to gas and electric bills etc) we are going to struggle. Every month I feel like we are rubbing pennies together as it is and we don’t have an expensive lifestyle at all. The future feels bleak.

@Gilead

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. Don’t be so silly. There’s plenty of room.

Of course overpopulation brings more poverty and misery. This is a fact. There is plenty of room. How naive so are people going be on the streets without schools or NHS? Yes, nobody in this country ever likes to have this honest conversation. It is easier to blame the government and be on denial.

Of course overpopulation brings more poverty and misery.

If we have overpopulation it's caused by people living longer though so what do you suggest?

@Lolamento, I’d like to hear about the positives this government have overseen please.
Oh and if you could explain about job vacancies too, I mean real jobs that fit around childcare etc with proper contracts.
Finally, as we have the lowest benefits in Europe a how to manage guide might be useful.