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Why does life seem to shit in the UK

484 replies

RosieLeaLovesTea · 16/10/2024 23:15

Endless threads about schools going down the pan and poor behaviour in schools making teachers want to leave.
NHS waiting lists and quality of care medical is poor.
housing market market in crisis and affordability of housing

I read the threads and it feels like life in the UK is really shit. Plus crap weathe for 8 months of the year.

how did we get here snd what is the solution?

OP posts:
TheSnootiestFox · 19/10/2024 15:08

GoldenLegend · 17/10/2024 01:07

We haven’t had ‘decades of unlimited mass immigration’ and you really shouldn’t read The Fail.

No, we really have and I don't.

midgetastic · 19/10/2024 15:13

Unlimited = no restrictions, able to proceed without any check

The Calais camps are proof that it's not been unlimited

Dappy777 · 19/10/2024 17:21

VickyPollard25 · 18/10/2024 18:33

I agree. Move to Australia and complain about the cost of housing and living there. Nice weather though!

There are so many wonderful things about the UK. Just make an effort to enjoy them - go see the beautiful building and sights in London and the countryside. Plenty of plays and musicals are on, and so many museums. Even a pub lunch with friends is lovely.

I agree. Often, people complain about a place because they're not interested in the things it has to offer. But that says more about them than the country they dislike. If you love beaches, surfing, hot sunshine etc, then Britain may not be the place for you. But if you love history and culture, I don't know how you could ever get bored of this island. Bill Bryson said that almost any random square mile of Britain is connected to some fascinating writer or philosopher or scientific breakthrough. I get a buzz ever time I wander around Cambridge, for example, just to think that Marlowe, Tennyson, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Nabokov, Wittgenstein, Bertrand Russell, etc all studied in this same place. That in this same small town, DNA was discovered and the atom first understood. Or think of Oxford. You can see where Oscar Wilde studied, where Tolkien read Lord of the Rings to C. S. Lewis, etc. To me, the Yorkshire moors mean the Brontes, Bath means Jane Austen, Stratford means Shakespeare, London means Dickens, and so on.

Almost every major historical or cultural figure seems to have lived here at some point. Freud and Karl Marx are both buried here, Lenin spent time in the British museum, Einstein visited Oxford, even Dostoyevsky wandered the streets of London. I hate the crowding, the traffic, the weather, the dark winters, the awful newspapers, the tiny overpriced houses, etc, but I do find the UK a very interesting place. It depresses me sometimes (Stevenage or Milton Keynes on a wet November day are pretty grim, I admit), but it never bores me. It doesn't surprise me that so many writers and artists gravitate to the UK. There is just so much for the imagination to feed on.

Papyrophile · 19/10/2024 17:36

While I agree with every word you've written @Dappy777 , we have to acknowledge that in the last 15 years wages have not increased in real terms (0.3% pa) but the cost of property and life in general has soared, which makes getting by feel like drudgery and soaks much of the fun out. It's hard to think lofty thoughts when you can't escape the crowds, traffic, weather, dark cold winters etc.

SmileyHappyPeopleInTheSun · 19/10/2024 17:49

I love traveling round UK as well but last 4 years post covid with huge increase in tickets for buses and trains, reduction in services and endless strikes further reducing reliability - we can't drive. Combine that with less disposable income due to huge amount of inflation last few years and we go out less and less - and that's true of retired family as well.

UK does have many thing going for it - but it has gotten more expensive and as companies cut corners so less customer service and services like NHS face tighter budget and higher demands - daily life gets a little bit harder for more people and after 4 years of this - often with no real end in sight it does start to wear many people slowly down.

Obsessedwithsourdough · 19/10/2024 17:59

Donsyb · 18/10/2024 21:51

My DP is from France. His parents think France is just as shit (if not more) and think everything is great here (because they don’t live here). Everyone sees the worst of a country when they live in it and the best of other countries when just visiting.

I went on holiday to France last month. We were in a supermarket in a largish town at lunchtime during the week. I was quite surprised that there were security officers at the doors monitoring school kids during their lunch breaks. They were only letting two in at a time . They were very stern and it made me realise shoplifting amongst school kids there must be a real issue. A bit of a shock .

SquirrelSoShiny · 19/10/2024 18:20

Dappy777 · 19/10/2024 17:21

I agree. Often, people complain about a place because they're not interested in the things it has to offer. But that says more about them than the country they dislike. If you love beaches, surfing, hot sunshine etc, then Britain may not be the place for you. But if you love history and culture, I don't know how you could ever get bored of this island. Bill Bryson said that almost any random square mile of Britain is connected to some fascinating writer or philosopher or scientific breakthrough. I get a buzz ever time I wander around Cambridge, for example, just to think that Marlowe, Tennyson, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Nabokov, Wittgenstein, Bertrand Russell, etc all studied in this same place. That in this same small town, DNA was discovered and the atom first understood. Or think of Oxford. You can see where Oscar Wilde studied, where Tolkien read Lord of the Rings to C. S. Lewis, etc. To me, the Yorkshire moors mean the Brontes, Bath means Jane Austen, Stratford means Shakespeare, London means Dickens, and so on.

Almost every major historical or cultural figure seems to have lived here at some point. Freud and Karl Marx are both buried here, Lenin spent time in the British museum, Einstein visited Oxford, even Dostoyevsky wandered the streets of London. I hate the crowding, the traffic, the weather, the dark winters, the awful newspapers, the tiny overpriced houses, etc, but I do find the UK a very interesting place. It depresses me sometimes (Stevenage or Milton Keynes on a wet November day are pretty grim, I admit), but it never bores me. It doesn't surprise me that so many writers and artists gravitate to the UK. There is just so much for the imagination to feed on.

Yes I've got to be honest I rolled my eyes at this. Not because it's intrinsically wrong but the godawful phrase 'Check your privilege' came to mind. I think people in places like Cambridge are likely to be living in something of a bubble. The beauty there is bewitching as long as the bills are paid. Ditto many pretty places in Britain.

If you're living in a rough council estate in Bradford your experience of living in Britain is going to be a bit different. If you are living from cheque to cheque (be it pay or benefits) you're more worried about keeping the lights on than anything else.

Lovely13 · 19/10/2024 18:47

It really isn’t shit, just people keep saying that. Yes, lots of problems. But that’s always been the case. Imagine living through the 100 years war. Or most historical events. We’re lucky to have free health care, education until 18 and much more. I also like murky British weather. Far better than droughts and hurricanes.

Papyrophile · 19/10/2024 20:38

I don't like the murky British winters very much, or the short daylight hours in winter, but the British summer when it happens is among the very best, anywhere in the world. It's Goldilocks summer, not too hot (unlike most of central continental Europe) nor too dry so crops grow. This little island on the NW edge of Europe is a much better place to live than most of the world IMO.It's densely populated, more so than I would like honestly,but in broad terms, I like most of the new arrivals who want to make here better. I don't like importing religion,especially Hindu-Islamic conflicts: please leave those 3 miles offshore of Dover.

llizzie · 19/10/2024 21:01

Papyrophile · 19/10/2024 17:36

While I agree with every word you've written @Dappy777 , we have to acknowledge that in the last 15 years wages have not increased in real terms (0.3% pa) but the cost of property and life in general has soared, which makes getting by feel like drudgery and soaks much of the fun out. It's hard to think lofty thoughts when you can't escape the crowds, traffic, weather, dark cold winters etc.

The bank crisis from 2008 with Libor saw such a great drop in interest rates that mortgages which were not fixed interest dropped considerably.

Landlords who borrowed to buy to let also found their repayments considerably reduced if they had no fixed interest.

In December 2021 interest rates rose from 0.1% to 1%.
In May 2022 interest rates rose from 1% to 2.5%
in Oct.2022 interest rate rose to 11.1%
August 2023 the interest rate was 5.25%

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) raised interest rates 14 times in a row to try to reduce inflation. The main factors contributing to inflation were: rising energy and food prices, a shortage of workers, and higher wage costs for businesses.

In August 2024, the Bank of England reduced the interest rate for the first time since August 2023. The Bank's main goal is to keep inflation close to 2%, and inflation has fallen sharply since its peak. However, the Bank will continue to monitor the economy and make decisions on interest rates every six weeks.

You would be forgiven if you said the B.of E. ran the Treasury. Banks and finance houses lost heavily after the crash in 2008 and earned it all back again from Oct 2022, before it dropped in 2023. We had to pay when sanctions against Russia meant the oligarchs were no longer welcome in the City of London. Those people invested heavily in buildings and their disappearance made a difference.

llizzie · 19/10/2024 21:22

Bowies · 19/10/2024 09:14

W(bankers) crisis
Tories (exploiting NHS etc over last decade)
Brexit (as above & BJ propaganda on buses)
Pandemic (& UK poor handling by BJ et al)
Global conflicts (Ukraine)

Weather - climate change

Not necessarily in that order

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) raised interest rates 14 times in a row to try to reduce inflation. The main factors contributing to inflation were: rising energy and food prices, a shortage of workers, and higher wage costs for businesses.

In August 2024, the Bank of England reduced the interest rate for the first time since August 2023. The Bank's main goal is to keep inflation close to 2%, and inflation has fallen sharply since its peak. However, the Bank will continue to monitor the economy and make decisions on interest rates every six weeks.

floppybit · 19/10/2024 21:23

@llizzie I totally agree with you. It's a shame there's no online place where people who need care can safely find carers without having to pay a cut to an agency (although I know it would be difficult to protect the vulnerable from the few who might use it to take advantage of the sick/elderly). Something like trust-a-trader but for carers

llizzie · 19/10/2024 21:32

floppybit · 19/10/2024 21:23

@llizzie I totally agree with you. It's a shame there's no online place where people who need care can safely find carers without having to pay a cut to an agency (although I know it would be difficult to protect the vulnerable from the few who might use it to take advantage of the sick/elderly). Something like trust-a-trader but for carers

There is an online site where independent carers can advertise, give their experience and qualifications and hourly rate. Not sure I can mention on here.

When Francis went to Kigali to see his mum, the site had lists of carers. I started at A and got someone whose name was A, read the details and wrote as though I was a carer because I wasn't sure if they charged, so I wrote ''Would you look after my lady while I am away.... and got a reply, but still don't know if the site charges or not. Some trade sites charge clients who post a job. Some, like 'my job quote' don't, That is also a trade site, but it would be very good place for care people to respond to clients.

SnowFrogJelly · 19/10/2024 23:47

It doesn't

llizzie · 20/10/2024 04:06

llizzie · 19/10/2024 21:01

The bank crisis from 2008 with Libor saw such a great drop in interest rates that mortgages which were not fixed interest dropped considerably.

Landlords who borrowed to buy to let also found their repayments considerably reduced if they had no fixed interest.

In December 2021 interest rates rose from 0.1% to 1%.
In May 2022 interest rates rose from 1% to 2.5%
in Oct.2022 interest rate rose to 11.1%
August 2023 the interest rate was 5.25%

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) raised interest rates 14 times in a row to try to reduce inflation. The main factors contributing to inflation were: rising energy and food prices, a shortage of workers, and higher wage costs for businesses.

In August 2024, the Bank of England reduced the interest rate for the first time since August 2023. The Bank's main goal is to keep inflation close to 2%, and inflation has fallen sharply since its peak. However, the Bank will continue to monitor the economy and make decisions on interest rates every six weeks.

You would be forgiven if you said the B.of E. ran the Treasury. Banks and finance houses lost heavily after the crash in 2008 and earned it all back again from Oct 2022, before it dropped in 2023. We had to pay when sanctions against Russia meant the oligarchs were no longer welcome in the City of London. Those people invested heavily in buildings and their disappearance made a difference.

The 11.1% is an error.

TheSnootiestFox · 20/10/2024 08:13

midgetastic · 19/10/2024 15:13

Unlimited = no restrictions, able to proceed without any check

The Calais camps are proof that it's not been unlimited

No, unlimited = unrestricted in terms of number. The Calais camps have been instrumental in getting many migrants to the UK simply to get them off French hands. The simple fact I'd there are too many people in the country, and it's miserable.

MixedCouple2 · 20/10/2024 13:51

It is the same everywhere. I have friends all over the worpd and they complain about the same issues. Florida, South Africa, North Africa, Austria etc etc. If you don't have money everything is very hard.
But agree having a decent summer and proper su shine makes a massive difference on depression and mood.

AmIEnough · 21/10/2024 07:49

@Simonjt

do you mind me asking which country you’re in?

Simonjt · 21/10/2024 07:52

AmIEnough · 21/10/2024 07:49

@Simonjt

do you mind me asking which country you’re in?

We’re in Sweden

HotPipe · 21/10/2024 08:20

@RosieLeaLovesTea I hear you. The government keep running the country down and telling us how crap it is and in parts it is! But travel broadens the mind. Spend a few holidays around Europe and you will see we are all in the same boat. Even hot countries have issues with wild fires, droughts etc.

Someone mentioned Sweden as a great place to live and I am not knocking it, for some it will be fabulous.
But it may not pull you out of your depression because:

  1. You have to put your hand in your pocket for healthcare. You can pay in the UK for the same kind of service - maybe try this first.
  2. Taxes are much higher than the UK.
  3. House prices are still expensive.
  4. Gun crime is very high and keeps rising.
  5. The weather is depressing.
  6. Schooling - I am not sure on standards in Sweden. If the schooling system is important, maybe check it out. This may be a plus point for you.
Simonjt · 21/10/2024 08:45
  1. You have to put your hand in your pocket for healthcare. You can pay in the UK for the same kind of service - maybe try this first. This is very minimal, I recently had surgery and my cost per day was £3.20 to a maximum of 30 days. You pay a small amount towards prescriptions, everything is capped though, I think the yearly cap is about £80. As I have type one diabetes I don’t have to pay co-pays at all if I don’t want to.
  1. Taxes are much higher than the UK. We pay less tax than we did in the UK, my total tax rate is 29.5%, in the UK it was 32.3% (i earn almost the same amount)
  2. House prices are still expensive. The house we live in wouldn’t be affordable for us in the UK, rents are better controlled and there is better access to social housing, outside stockholm housing is a similar price to the UK, but renting is cheaper and more secure
  3. Gun crime is very high and keeps rising. It really isn’t, you can own some guns i think, but I have no idea what type, I think it might be hunting guns but i’m not 100%
  4. The weather is depressing. We only had days that were 20-25 from the start of June until mid september, its still warmer here than the UK and a lot drier, winters are dry so fewer days trapped inside due to rain. Today where we are its currently 16 and sunny
  5. Schooling - I am not sure on standards in Sweden. If the schooling system is important, maybe check it out. This may be a plus point for you. Much better than the UK as not only are schools better funded, classes are smaller, teachers/education are valued, children are more likely to be actively parented, wrap around is both always available and free (good quality too), all children receive free school meals. There are still subject specialist schools here, so its easier to find a school that meets an individual needs, especially as a shortage of school places is unusual. You don’t pay tuition fees to attend university, but students tend to attend their local one, rather than live out
Alexandra2001 · 21/10/2024 09:21

HotPipe · 21/10/2024 08:20

@RosieLeaLovesTea I hear you. The government keep running the country down and telling us how crap it is and in parts it is! But travel broadens the mind. Spend a few holidays around Europe and you will see we are all in the same boat. Even hot countries have issues with wild fires, droughts etc.

Someone mentioned Sweden as a great place to live and I am not knocking it, for some it will be fabulous.
But it may not pull you out of your depression because:

  1. You have to put your hand in your pocket for healthcare. You can pay in the UK for the same kind of service - maybe try this first.
  2. Taxes are much higher than the UK.
  3. House prices are still expensive.
  4. Gun crime is very high and keeps rising.
  5. The weather is depressing.
  6. Schooling - I am not sure on standards in Sweden. If the schooling system is important, maybe check it out. This may be a plus point for you.

Nonsense i used to live in Sweden and have many friends there.

Yes there is gun crime, driven by gangs and thats quite new but in the main, it really doesn't affect ordinary people.
We are going over there for NYE, Stockholm is fantastic.

Unless you ve experienced both NHS and also any other European health care system, you ve no idea how shite the NHS is.

What makes the UK a little more shitter today is hearing Labour say they are having another consultation on the NHS and will give us all a fucking app!!!
Sounds like the management bollox i used to have to deal with when i was working.....
Staff/retention/buildings and equipment is whats required, whilst getting rid of all those US based companies that provide services to the NHS which then make profit out off us, to send back to their investors.

Yalta · 21/10/2024 22:22

juggleit · 17/10/2024 23:57

I totally feel your pain and so sorry for your loss of photos ❤️
its so depressing to keep battling with companies when they make mistakes. Its seems like the bar is so low now for customer service. We have had a few exceptions where staff have been so helpful its almost a wow moment! When actually they are just doing what they should and resolve problems! I hope you turn a corner soon and life becomes less of a battle 🤞

With the electric company, this isn’t a mistake or error in their eyes. They don’t seem to understand how accounts work.
They don’t believe there system is wrong. It’s like talking to someone who thinks up is down and down is up and the computer is always right

£276.14 + £122.02 = £655.59

and they will argue this till they put the phone down on you

juggleit · 22/10/2024 00:50

Yalta · 21/10/2024 22:22

With the electric company, this isn’t a mistake or error in their eyes. They don’t seem to understand how accounts work.
They don’t believe there system is wrong. It’s like talking to someone who thinks up is down and down is up and the computer is always right

£276.14 + £122.02 = £655.59

and they will argue this till they put the phone down on you

🙄 Oh dear!! Its very worrying 💐

Yalta · 22/10/2024 05:54

juggleit · 22/10/2024 00:50

🙄 Oh dear!! Its very worrying 💐

Worrying!!!

It’s f**king insane

It took them 5 months to understand what a closing meter reading was and what the date we moved from the house was.

I have been sent “proof” of my debt in a series of statements that have carry forward figures of one amount which change by £000s on the brought forward figures on yhe next statement.

Its complete madness