Are we heading into a major recession?

[bodychanges]

Things are already tough in my industry - I’m a contractor and this past year is my worst in over two decades - but should I be expecting things to get worse not better?

and I sound stupid, but what are the main economic indicators?

The big problem is energy costs. It's hitting businesses and also restricting people's disposable income which then feeds into the decline of the economy. Get this Ukraine war resolved with a deal and you'll see energy prices come down and things should start to improve.

You have used a few but it was a separate question

Are you?

No idea why. I’m not obsessed with what industries people work in.

You have used a few but it was a separate question

And?

Are you?

I've done both..😱

Are you?

Prioritising shareholder value above all else, via the figleaf of academic validation, unleashed the sort of short term profiteering which has also helped hollow out the economy.

Is it a euphemism for something else, like a masonic handshake

{Leans in} do you work in the public sector?

Public sector now?

Only private sector here and prefer the state to prioritise growth for that sector rather than try to decline it

We're seeing the impact now with SMEs

So you're currently employed? I'm surprised...

Public sector now?

Nope

Public sector virgin here. Private all the way.

You're posting frequently on this thread aren't you? Many pro Labour posts

I'm lucky and happy with what I have but talking to others in SMEs it's tough

I ask because I don't think public sector will be seeing that

You're posting frequently on this thread aren't you?

Less than you...

Um you're very active for Labour on this thread. I've just looked back do you think you're not posting?

I ask because I don't think public sector will be seeing that

You have an incredibly outdated view of the world of work hence why I assumed it had been a while since you or anyone you knew was in it hence the narrow world view.

I'm lucky and happy with what I have

You definitely sound like you are 😆

I work for a large profitable MNE based in the UK and don't see up close what it's like for UK SMEs. That's why the public sector question is so odd. There is not one homogenous private sector. There is significant variation by sector within the private sector, quite aside from the scale of the individual business.

Ok no idea why you post with all this but whatever

But yeh I am lucky. Grateful but that's separate to what I think re economics

It's a pity people can't discuss it without getting personal

I'd suggest better economics education as a remedy

Um you're very active for Labour on this thread. I've just looked back do you think you're not posting?

Your lack of comprehension is mind blowing! Why does responding to posts make me active for labour? My first post says "I don't think things will get better in my lifetime! There isn't any money". Yep, must be a fangirl! Are you very active for Reform?

Of course i'm posting, is it a competition? I also think some of my posts have contributed to the conversation & debate, you are yet to add anything of note.

It's a pity people can't discuss it without getting personal

Isn’t it? There’s no need to keep asking people which industry they work in.

Ok no idea why you post with all this but whatever

I'm breaking it down for you as you seem confused as to why I thought you were unemployed....

It's a pity people can't discuss it without getting personal

😆😆

I'd suggest better economics education as a remedy*

There's those excellent comprehension skills again.

Amazing how wound up people are getting.

I can't say I feel the same when asked. Fine to say private sector SME hence my concerns

Amazing how wound up people are getting.

Are you public sector?

Our young talent in IT/engineering especially is leaving. It’s gone from relocating to proper brain drain. We are now left with 100s of migrants applying for jobs. It’s not the boats that are the issue. It’s people coming over here on graduate visas and bring their family over. The issue is they don’t have the skill we need. Over 500 applications for recent hires. Mostly people on graduate visas and not up to the job.

We are well known in IT/engineering for proving stellar graduates - who are being headhunted elsewhere. The UK is highly regarded in that field. We are desperately trying to fill this gap with people not up to scratch. The result? Globals are hiring elsewhere and people are relocating.

Unless you are actively in the private sector right now it is impossible to describe the car crash it is. That lack of skill and tax is starting to filter down to public spending plans and it will be the private sector next.

People who don’t realise there is an issue are either pensioners, on welfare or are in the public sector. It’s the only explanation because you’d have to have lost your mind to work in the private sector and not see the issue getting worse daily.

No one is wound up, I am just taking the piss out of you. You make it too easy.

@wipeywipe see pp no problem with answering