Britain’s economy will get worse forever

[ShottaSheriff]

https://novaramedia.com/2024/03/03/britains-economy-will-only-get-worse-forever-aaron-bastani-meets-gary-stevenson/

AIBU to say that: Unless something massively changes, wealth inequality will continue to destroy this country (and others around the globe). I fear for our children.

Poverty has explodes in the UK, the middle class is being eroded. Those in power, making the decision are the same people who benefit from widening the gap between rich and poor.

Gary Stevenson’s piece is really worth watching. It’s horrifying and obvious all at once and yet most people in this country are buying into the divisive narratives that apportion the blame for the decline in standards of living, of society, on anything and everything else except the rich elite.

We collectively need to educate ourselves and we need to do something.

Is that you, Jeremy?

That's a pretty negative view, one I doubt the middle class share. The way to improved lifestyle is, as it always has been, education and effort.

The thing is definition of education. Going to university to take a pointless degree that delivers no significant knowledge, or skills of any value doesn't really count. The whole 50% to university isn't working.

We need teachers, scientists, medics, engineers and a small number of arts/humanities graduates.

Otherwise, we need skills, trades etc.

My ds is looking at two routes, a degree in engineering or a trade apprenticeship. So far he's done taster days in slating, thatching, metalwork. He works hard in school, enjoys what he does. I'm a single mum but I'll support him until he's on his feet. I have no fears. He'll be fine.

We voted economic sanctions on ourselves

Of course it's gonna get worse

@Meadowfincheducation and effort is not going to overcome widening wealth inequality. The middle classes don’t share these views because they’ve been brainwashed into thinking that we should all be suffering through a recession when the reality is that the rich are benefiting whilst everyone else suffers.

The economics of our society are screwed. The cost of living is such that those living in poverty has grown exponentially, middle class is now a much less comfortable place to be, only 10% of under 34 year olds own homes now. I’m glad you have no fears for your son, it doesn’t address the economic imbalance in society.

As an employer, OP, I wouldn't take on someone with such a negative attitude. I will employ another team junior in London inApril. Starting salary £30k + benefits, someone with a good work ethic and decent written English. With work they will be on £45k in 2 years. Opportunities do exist.

I am ALL about education and effort and hard work. I grew up with a lack of financial security, in a working class household and I have worked really hard all my life to get myself to a better place. The problem is that this kind of hard work no longer can elevate you to a position of financial security and a nice life.

How can someone earning £45k get on the housing ladder near London? How can they save if they are paying astronomical rental costs?

I don’t think inequality is the issue as much as no growth. If we are not productive and growing, there is nothing to share.

We are not going to grow with out reform. A lot of the blockers are powerful interests dressed up as virtue. We need to be as sceptical and questioning of the green lobby snd public sector interests as we have been about pharma companies and oil companies.

We need to look the facts in the eye. A conservative government hasn’t done this. I have less hope that a Labour government will.

"Novara Media (often shortened to Novara)[1][2][3][4] is an independent,[5] left-wing alternative media organisation based in the United Kingdom.[2]"

From Wiki. A "left-wing, alternative media organisation" is hardly going to give unbiased analysis, is it? (comrade)

Novara media are always on GB news , very left wing .
Wouldn't think they'd have a balanced view.

The middle classes aren't being brainwashed. what rubbish you're peddling , you sound like something from the dark ages with your talk of Classes. Elite etc .

So how do we fix it, OP?

The UK (well, England, really) doesn't like left wing policies much, as evidenced by the last two general elections. Starmer is Tory lite, because that is what the electorate are more comfortable with. Sad, but true.

I watch Novara media because I can no longer stomach main stream news, and the free pass it gives the political elite, mass genocide etc etc. if you believe @Misthios that mainstream news outlets are not themselves heavily biased towards the right wing elite then you’re hugely naïve.

I’m left wing in my desire for a fair society where the majority of people can work hard and have what they need and live a joyful, healthy life free from fear of destitution and poverty. So shoot me. I think it’s the right thing to be focused on because frankly things are going to shit whether you believe it or not @hattie43. You may just be privileged enough not to be feeling it, or so bought into the narrative that life should be hard for everyone and there’s always someone else to look down on that you’re not bothered about things being better for everyone.

Novara media isn’t all rabid left wing foaming at the mouth. The discussions are extremely interesting and thought provoking. Gary Stevenson is really interesting and he is worth a listen to.

I don’t know @krystalweedon if I’m honest. By starting to open the eyes of the people who are being shafted but refuse to believe it is a good place to start.

Society isn't equal , it never has been and never will be . Everybody has to make the best of their circumstances whatever life throws at them . Some will flourish some won't . Education, resilience and commitment are free . I agree with a previous poster that your politics and negativity are very unattractive qualities and you'd be written off in a lot of companies .

Novara media promotes communism. This whole "i'm so enlightened, I don't get my news from the mainstream media, I am better than that yadda yadda".

Anyway - the piece you linked to is not news. It is OPINION which is different, isn't it?

'How can someone earning £45k get on the housing ladder near London? How can they save if they are paying astronomical rental costs?'

Firstly, that's 45k two or three years after graduating. Leave it 5 years after graduating & buy as a couple, they would be looking at being able to borrow £300k- £400k.

Or do what I did and accept that buying in London isn't practical, and move out.

There is another thread about how birth rates are dropping, the baby boomers are reaching end of life, so there will be less demand for homes. Demand drops - prices fall.

@hattie43 I agree, society was never equal and never will be.

He’s my hero.

They even have an agony Aunt who will enlighten you on how capitalism is destroying your relationship. And under the column name "Red Flags". Well played.

https://novaramedia.com/2024/04/10/i-used-to-do-all-the-cleaning-now-i-dont-fancy-my-partner/

Red Flags explores how capitalism fucks up our intimate lives – not just our romantic relationships, but also our friendships, home lives, family ties, and experiences of death and dying – and what we can do about it.

OP "The middle classes don’t share these views because they’ve been brainwashed into thinking that we should all be suffering through a recession when the reality is that the rich are benefiting whilst everyone else suffers"

not this one <puts up hand>

I just said on a thread yesterday that middle class are disappearing, dad and I talked about this years ago. I think a lot of us know it. Depends on sheer luck when you post, what type of reply you get.

Oh Jeremy Corbin...

This is absolutely not the answer. Individual choices are a tiny drop in the ocean in economic terms. We simply can’t compete with other global economies and we keep voting for governments that make things worse by consistently underinvesting in innovation and making the country a really awful place to establish companies (e.g. Brexit). Even UK based companies don’t want to list on the London stock exchange any more.

Your kids becoming thatchers is going to make absolutely no difference to the future economy.

The policies that make it difficult to invest in the UK are widely acknowledged to be a major part of the problem.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/02/business/uk-economy-growth.html

I’m not sure planning a career is “becoming thatcher”, I’d describe it as common sense.

There are people who believe nothing is in their control and there are others who believe everything is in their control. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. People who’s parents teach their children to get a trade, whether thats through higher education or not are more likely to be fine than people who’s parents tell them theres no point.

https://www.politico.eu/article/france-tops-uk-in-foreign-investment-race-amid-european-slowdown/