Dear Richi Sunak

[CarolineFields]

I have been a teacher for 30 years, and have at different times been head of department and head of year. Unfortunately, as a mother, it was impossible for me to full fill these roles because of the workload, so I resigned from both.

I made sacrifices to support my child through state school and university

I couldn't afford to replace my glasses, the prescription I used was 5 years out of date.

I have one pair of school shoes, and because I can't afford the bus, and walk 5 miles to school several times a week, I leave my shoes at school, because if they wear out I won't be able to replace them

I used a 10 year old asthma inhaler rather than pay the prescription charge for a new one.

The cats and I shared one heated vest under a duvet rather than turn on the central heating

I save a little bit by charging my phone and laptop from a camping style solar panel - I don't know how much this actually saves, but it must be something, right?

Holidays were camping, by public transport, off peak.

I am middle income, middle class, and consider myself reasonably comfortably well off- no serious worries about housing or food, as so many people suffer with daily.

I have never, in my wildest dreams considered the ludicrous and insane extravagance of taking out a sky tv subscription.

I understand that to some people this is a top priority, as football is such a crucial aspect of our countries cultural life. People who do take this out, will be making massive cuts elsewhere

I am very sorry, but I cannot begin to understand where you are coming from, believing that missing out on sky TV is some sort of sacrifice or deprivation.

I am stunned. I am gobsmacked. I can't take it in. I don't know what to say. I am reeling. I am so shocked. I don't know what it would have been possible to say to alienate me more than what you have just said.

I am sorry. I am struggling to articulate the depth of my astoundedness. It is like my soul can't absorb the words and gags on them. Its like a soul emetic

Great post Op but you lost me a bit at “reeling”. I agree with the premise though but am more chuckling at his complete cluelessness about what being deprived is rather than “shocked and gobsmacked”. I imagine many will feel the same.

And you could at least spell his name correctly.

You having been a teacher.

It's a bit dramatic

As a teacher I would have thought you could spell his name correctly.

I was assuming this was a play on words by OP.

As for being called dramatic, I don't think OP is dramatic. I think they're highlighting the vast difference in what actual concerns people have Vs his ridiculous suggestion of being deprived as he didn't have Sky TV.

It's a joke about his extreme wealth. I also enjoy John Crace's Rish! in The Guardian.

You post is hyperbolic nonsense.

Was it written in 1953?

Bus travel has been capped at £2 for ages.

Glasses barely cost much these days, you can buy them for £10 from some websites.

An inhaler wouldn't last that long.

Charging phone from a solar charger... A solar charger you bought but couldn't afford prescription fee..

*Chinny Reckon

Where was your child’s dad that you had to give up your job?

You lost me at “Richi”, a pun that’s about as witty and amusing as stubbing your toe on a brick.

The rest of the content has some merit but tone down the hyperbole a lot.

I am really hoping to see a resurgence of chinny reckon!

Crikey, calm down.

Can get glasses very cheap if you know your prescription
And an inhaler runs out after 100 puffs. Can't of really needed it anyway if only used 10 puffs a year!
Charge your phone at work.

What a load of nonsense.

@CarolineFields

I hadn't heard him blather on about sky, but he has NO idea about the cost of anything. I presume you've heard his description about the bread they have in their house? That's a fun listen!

I don't know if he has 'staff' checking MN or not, but this probably isn't the most effective way to get his attention. Not that he'd care anyway.

You must be as fit as a butchers dog!!

so happy for you that £2 bus fare each way each day isn't something you need to carefully weigh up, my glasses are £300 if I go for all economy options, and yes, surprising or not, the 10 year old inhaler still puffed!

And the solar panel has stood us in good stead over many decades camping, and yes, I use it at home too.

another vastly out of touch Tory I take it?

Not if you have a complex prescription!
The cheap glasses are not available if you have an astigmatism or need varifocals.

I never gave up a job, I twice had to give up a promotion. Childs dad is long dead.

A post that could have had merit, highlighting the daily struggles of many people, completely ruined by the final two hysterical paragraphs. Still, I suppose I at least had a good laugh at the ludicrousness of the term 'soul emetic'

You said a couple times a week you walk.
So Which is it? Everyday both ways or couple times a week?

£300 for a pair of glasses... But you haven't bought any in year? How do you know the cost?

Asthma inhalers have a use by date, same as most medicines. It certainly doesn't last 10 years, in fact, their use by if most.often 12 months from issue.

Solar panels from many decades ago... *Chinny Reckon...

I'm no Tory.

I'm also not someone claiming to be a teacher and earning above average wages for 30 years but can't afford shoes...

*CHINNY.... RECKON....

The inhaler may make "puff' noise but no active medication would be left in it after the first about 12 months. So any effect would have been placebo only

Your inhaler wasn’t working for 10 years. Not possible.

So makes me question everything else tbh.

Not being funny but I work with homeless people all the time and people really on their arse and relying on food banks but none of what your saying rings true.

Yes, I appreciate that. But OP couod have got a voucher towards them from work.

My husband is a teacher and he gets a voucher for a yearly eye test and a contribution towards the glasses from work due to DSE regulations (I think that's what it's called)

what are you struggling to understand? I travel to and from work every day. As often as I can, I walk to save bus fare. This depends on weight of bags, weather, etc, but is at least a couple of times a week.

And again, read what I have written. I can't afford to replace my glasses often. I normally go many years between new glasses. I didn't say my current glasses were 5 years out of date, I said I often had glasses 5 years out of date. I was wearing 8 year old glasses last year, and replaced them for around £380. This was the absolute absolute most economy option. But did include the eye test.

Yes, the asthma inhaler I was using last year was 10 years past its use by date. it was all I could find. and I didn't have enough money to pay for a new prescription

Yes, my camping solar panel is old, but it still works.

You say you are not a tory, but you do seem to share their total ignorance of the normal lives of normal people all around you