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I couldn't afford to replace my glasses, the prescription I used was 5 years out of date.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

It's always a race to the bottom on here!

Its not convex is it? Its concave. 🤦🏻‍♀️ You know what I mean. They look like jamjar bottoms and they're so strong if anyone else tries them on they can see into the future.

@FarmGirl78 Thanks for the info! I'm always afraid to try new opticians without recommendations from people who are in the same boat. But I'll check them out as it sounds like it went well.

@CarolineFields you teach in a prison, not a school, right?
I have a friend who does that, and she's paid hourly, and obviously there aren't that many hours of work available.
So maybe that's why you don't have as much money as you'd like, and why those of us who teach in schools are a little confused about your poverty.

I'm actually quite concerned that someone so hysterical and unable to spell basic words (fulfil) is teaching children.

Don't vote Tory (or Reform - they are not the answer to anything)There are so many more people in poverty than 14 years ago, of all stripes. OP does your employer offer any discounts?

This!!

My prescription is in the minus range. Where can I buy cheap glasses?

She's not a teacher in a school.
So isn't on a teacher's salary.

One of his advisors is standing in Oldham West ...

I don't imagine he'll leave the London area during the election period.

well if she's not working enough hours, its only her fault that she cant afford shoes or an athsma inhaler thats younger than 10!

And if the OP is a 'teacher' in a prison, surely they should be called a Prison instructor?

Prison instructors / Instructional officer

Prison instructors teach prisoners new skills to help them find work after their release.

Average salary (a year)£18,000 to £29,000

My lenses for my glasses are £200 due to my prescription and how much they need to be thinned down. That's before any fancy additions like anti scratch, anti fog or blue light filter etc - it's literally the cost of the most basic lenses available to allow me to see. I always pic the cheapest £10 frames. Cheap glasses available online etc are for those with more minor visual issues. My eyes change roughly every year, and there have been years when my children were small when I simply couldn't afford it and was wearing out of date glasses, that I couldn't see out of properly and gave me headaches.

Bus travel where I live also most certainly has not been capped.

I also own things I bought 10, 15, 20 years ago that may have cost me money then that I don't have now, but I am able to continue using now. Having £10 to spend on a charger 10 years ago does not mean I have £10 on prescription charges now.

I have an astigmatism and I splashed out on glasses that were £40. I could have paid £15. This was a few months ago.

@Bushmillsbabe I’m a teacher and we don’t have financial help towards glasses. Apparently, the Health and Safety officer said that as we don’t look at a screen continuously for 60 minutes or more than we aren’t entitled. Your husband is lucky!

How the heck do you use an asthma pump that's 10 years old?
surely all the medication in it would have long since run out

Chinny reckon will never not be funny to me.

The lady doth protest too much.

And 'Jimmy waffle on' (means the same thing in case you've not heard it before)

With the greatest of respect @CarolineFields you must suffer from very mild asthma if you are using a pump that is ten years out of date, and still contains medication.

Also, using expired medication isn't advised:

https://www.healthline.com/health/asthma/can-you-use-an-expired-inhaler#expiration-dates

Derailing things slightly but check out Iolla for glasses. My prescription is -10 with astigmatism but all their frames are £85ish including anti glare, thinned down lenses. They are fab.

There are none of the food hubs (unless you count takeaway service), community pantries or any other food support organisations outside of a food bank in my local area. The nearest food bank is also almost an hour away by bus. Again, if someone is walking to save a bus fare, I don't see how they might be able to access any of the services.
Either way, I think this thread suffers massively from reading comprehension problem. All OP was saying is that positioning not having Sky TV as a badge of hardship is completely out of touch with common experiences of many people in the country. It's irrelevant whether or not OP can or cannot afford food or new glasses. The fact is that many people can't. Telling them that someone can relate because they remember growing up without a premium TV option is ludicrous.

No - you have read this wrong -
Op claims to not be able to afford work shoes, and having to use a 10 year expired asthma inhaler! which we all know is total and utter bollocks

There are none of the food hubs (unless you count takeaway service), community pantries or any other food support organisations outside of a food bank in my local area.
So someone should look at starting one then? Local to me, there is a charity that collects expired food from the supermarkets instead of it going to landfil, Someone has to do it.

It's a play on words because he's an extremely rich man.

I think what Sunak was saying with the Sky TV comment was that people assumed he had a luxurious childhood, but he didn't. I don't think he was saying that no Sky TV = poverty. I'd never vote Tory in my life but I don't like this gotcha stuff.

Yes I was wondering that too, none of this quite rings true.

Agreed though that Rishi is embarrassing himself. I don't know why they always pretend to be less privileged than they are.