To be depressed about how expensive but shyt the UK is

[OptimismvsRealism]

God it's expensive God it's shit

Please regale me with examples of how other places are also shit and it's not just here

I can't understand it. We've got private companies running our railways, energy, postal service, telecoms, water even our prisons. We're free to make fabulous trade deals with whoever we want. We spend less than most other countries on health, education & other public services and yet here we are.

If I didn't know better, I'd think that funneling public wealth & assets into the hands of the very wealthy & to the private corporations owned by them wasn't a sensible way to run a country.

So basically let all poor and disabled die on the streets ASAP.
Nice.

We have visited various different countries in Europe this summer, and just back from France. I would say they are faring far worse there, it looked very run down almost everywhere. Even in the most expensive places.

It feels bigger than this country, the decline of the west. It is very worrying.

I used to find food in France more expensive but it’s comparable now with the UK.

We drove all over France this summer because we are buying a house and starting a business there. We found it bustling and smart and everyone seemed to be enjoying the Olympic coverage.

Let's just think about how much closer to power Marine Le Penn and Geert Wilders have got over the last 10 years or so and let that sink in.

Their rise in popularity would suggest that other countries in Europe are having problems too.

There are problems everywhere but you get more back for the tax you pay in NL and France in my experience - have family in both countries.

Do you think they'd be so advanced to be familiar with the term 'shite'? 😅

My FIL, DH, both DCs and I have all very recently had fast and generally efficient service from the NHS. I was referred by GP for tests and was contacted for a hospital appointment within a week, similar for DH. I do think the model needs to change as it's expensive and many people don't get the treatment they need, but many others get the treatment they want so perhaps we need to address what the fundamental purpose is first.

Friends escaped to Sweden and never looked back. Apparently they get something there in return for their taxes - we don't.

No more self centred than you are claiming your experience is the norm!

My son emigrated to the US 15 years ago (married an American woman). From what he says, it’s the same there.

I think this time is pretty general in the West. 🤷‍♀️

It's really shit if you're poor. But everywhere is shit if you're poor.

I suppose some people live in abject poverty in other parts of the world (I don't) but that doesn't make me feel it is any less shit here, because it is absolutely shite at the moment.

Labour isn't helping because their approach is so f'ing grim. When Tony Blair took over we at least felt optimistic., However, I have faith in Starmer and am willing to grin and bear it while they get the economy right so that they can fund some important societal needs in the future.

Apparently the uk’s many problem’s are down to the disabled, Sen children going to school and MH.🤣

So much ableism, fabrication and complete ignorance in that post.

When I visited Scandanavia, I felt like I was visiting a higher world.

Where did you visit @Albaamy121 ? And how long did you stay there ?

@AngelicKaty

In fact, I'd make it law that any Boomer who calls people on benefits "scoungers" be forced to volunteer for a charity that provides services to vulnerable and less well-off people!

So you are OK with people from other generations calling people on benefits 'scroungers' then? What a strange world you live in where you only see this attitude from one generation- which - by the way is probably more likely to be the one doing the volunteering.

Only good thing about the UK that I can think of is we’re not being bombed/shelled/ shot at. I’m grateful for that every day.
But you’re right. Everything else about the UK is shite.

Have a look at your bills and you won't need any bots.

add me and those around me to the self centred list too!

Why on earth do you think I would be happy with anyone calling people on benefits "scroungers"? That's a ludicrous conclusion to draw. I'M a Boomer(2) and I only ever hear fellow Boomers calling people on benefits "scroungers" - I've never heard it from other generations, but if I did, I'd condemn that too.
40% of people claiming UC are also working because their incomes are so low - employers in the UK seem to think it's OK to have their wage bills subsidised by the state.

I didn’t say, it’s not Norway. I’m in capital city in one of the other Scandics.

The biggest issue this country has is the depressing negativity that is highlighted in abundance in these posts. Constantly talking the country down, constantly moaning, never happy with anything. It’s these types of a unique fusion of entitlement and loathing that sets this country apart for the wrong reasons.
If I could do anything for this great nation I’d eject the lot of them to a far flung miserable outpost where they would really have something to whinge about!!

Yes..but you need a good job seekers allowance there. Livng expenses can be very high. Housing is in very short supply and is very expensive. I've just read that if you go to the Dr it costs a fortune. There are no set fees or charges for GP services. To visit a GP, you can expect to pay from around 45 -65 euro According to one doctor I met, he was no longer practising medicine in Ireland because it was like practising in a third world country.

I feel the same (even though compared with some other countries, I know we’re lucky in many ways), and I think it’s because things really have got harder over the last 20 years. It fees like there’s far greater inequality - some people are spending loads of money and enjoying themselves, whereas others just can’t. As a fairly average income household, we used to enjoy days out, weekends away, the occasional meal out, coffee shop breakfast every week or two, and that was normal. Now bills and the cost of living are so high, those things are very rare treats. A travelodge family room used to be £45 to stay near my parents a few years ago, and now we’re lucky if we find anything under £100. Last time we went to a coffee shop it cost £30 for 4 of us… it struck me that the barista would have to work for 3 hours just to afford a family breakfast treat, and to me that feels so wrong. There’s cost-cutting everywhere - communicating with any organisation now seems to involve waiting on hold for hours or getting frustrating stock responses from a chatbot. It feels like everyone’s attempting to fleece us - now Christmas is approaching, places near us are advertising light trails, Santa experiences etc for about £100 a family ticket, and no way will it be worth that. Things might be shyt everywhere; they certainly are here too if you’re not on a high income.