Are other full-time working families finding there is nothing left?

[fatface001]

Alarm went off at 5:30 this morning, then an hour stood on a packed train into London for the commute. We are a normal family: one child and two full-time jobs. I’ve always enjoyed working and have always worked hard, and I don’t mind that at all — but I do expect that full-time work should still mean there’s something left at the end of the month for a normal life.

But that really doesn’t feel like the case anymore.

There’s nothing left at the end of the month. Everything has been stripped back, all non-essentials have gone, and even basic things around the house are being put off or done ourselves because there isn’t spare money for trades. It’s just constant cutting back.

What’s hard is that we’re both working really long hours and doing everything we’re “supposed” to do, but it still feels like we’re going backwards rather than getting ahead.

When I hear talk about “those with the broadest shoulders” contributing more, I honestly don’t recognise it anymore in real life. It doesn’t feel like anyone in our position has anything left to give — it feels like the pressure is entirely on ordinary working households just to stand still.

I’m not looking for luxuries — just the sense that working still gives you a bit of breathing room. Right now it doesn’t feel like that at all.

Is anyone else feeling the same?

Why? Because quite obviously we need people to work. Taxes on work and every other little thing Labour attempt to slip in need to come down dramatically and immediately, funded by reductions in benefits.

Well you'd better hope "the billionaires" don't all leave the UK, cos then your tax bills will certainly go up.

Jealousy is not a virtue. @angelos02

If you're a two full-time professional income household that needs to "do it yourself" the economy is screwed, though.

Why don't billionaires pay a SINGLE PENNY in tax? Are people barely scraping by to blame? Or is it filthy rich, ruthless and morally bankrupt oligarchs? Where does the blame lie @Lameelephant ?

Is it them forinners? It is, innit!

And anyone with half decent hair maintenance will agree it is not comparatively expensive.

They won’t all leave. That line keeps getting repeated to crush the idea. Some might, not many. Let’s face it you can up and leave as an individual it’s harder to take your assets with you.

And I'm sure your well thought out proposal will be the one that works. It's not as if multiple governments and economists across many geographies have tried and failed to do this previously.

The OECD in 2018: "Net wealth taxes have frequently failed to meet their redistributive goals. The revenues collected from net wealth taxes have also, with a few exceptions, been very low. "

You seriously don't think that people with billions to their name have got to where they are through work ethic? That they don't exploit the masses? Don't make me laugh! 😭

Have you not read a newspaper recently?

The fact that middle earners are now feeling the pinch is a pivotal moment. Some may have been looking down as they were told to, blaming those on benefits etc. Now they are experiencing it first hand and they won’t accept it as they know it shouldn’t be the case. Things are going to change.

Whilst it's great cutting your own hair (3 out of 4 people in this house do it) if everyone does it, that's a lot of small businesses going bust and a lot less tax to the taxman.

Anyway, agree with others that say it's mad that people working full-time jobs need UC, employers should pay more. The state should not be stepping in to prop up crappy wages. Something is fundamentally broken when that is the case.

We have family in the US - in the last 20 years there's been a HUGE divergence in quality of life in people on the exact same jobs (e.g nurse). Pay is massively higher in the US for the same job.

So take off the poorest to give to the richest ?

Completely agree, OP.

My salary has at least gone up recently - but that was after basically staying still for ten years while prices went up and up.

It's so depressing that none of the major political parties seem to care / able to fix it.

That's why I'm voting Green at the next election. Not only do they care about the environment ( I'm very concerned about the state of the planet ) but also they're talking about taxing billionaires more - I think that's the fairest solution.

They are the ones who get to decide if I can feed my child and pay my bills. That feels scary too because if Reform get their way, I doubt I'd be able to feed my child and pay my bills.

I despise these threads, people turn into monsters on them.

Everyone hates "high earners" not even sure what thats classed as anymore but i can tell you as someone i assume would be classed as a high earning household ( £150K before tax) that we arent flinging money about the place but we arent destitute either.

I consider ourselves lucky we can afford to put food on the table (aldi) we can run our (old) car and manage our household bills.

Our 3 kids can do their competitve sports which is a huge outgoing of around £300 per month.

But we cant afford to eat out, family days out need to be planned more and everything is just much more of a thought.

My income is the bulk of the household at over £100k but i pay 45% tax on that.

Its a slog.

There are plenty of shitty billionaires who avoid taxes but there are also some (JK Rowling for a start) who pay their fare share.

What is needed is tackling corruption and illegal activity across the board with prison sentence and full accountability in the public sector for stealing funds or wasting taxpayer's money. Including sackings and loss of pension.

Just increasing taxes so that those that play by the rules pay more isn't going to be enough.

No free school meals here either.

That may be true but then they also have more options. If the shit hits the fan they can downsize to a 2 bed mid terrace with their two adults, one child family to save money. They can give up their theatre trips and cleaner and daily coffees. Those already in the two bed terrace with no cleaner or daily coffees have nothing left to give up as they can only afford the essentials anyway (if they're lucky!) and will probably end up cold/hungry/homeless. It's just not comparable no matter how it's dressed up.

I think if both people are working full time they should be able to have luxuries. The goverment cannot carry on taxing the middle class. They will have nothing left to give.

Its madness to tax a country to its knees whilst spending billions on migrants and foreign aid. We need to cut all this spending out, stop taxing working people to the brink, ensure plenty of affordable housing, get as many people as possible back working (if they can)and get Britian back to being a good economy.

Yes everyone gets 30 free hours now from 9 months I believe which is good. But there is still fees to pay on top of that at most nurseries, it only covers just less than 3 days a week I believe, so those not able to claim benefits and work still have a nursery bill running into hundreds of pounds a month just for 1 child. Those on benefits/UC will get 85% off that bill and I think now there is only tax relief that non benefit claimers can get. Even if people aren't working they will still get 85% discount if they put their child into nursery, government sees it that they're getting an education being in nursery, which is fair enough. Ultimately they should be working when their child is in nursery though, morally, unless unable to do so due to long term illness or disability.

Sure, let’s just ignore the fact that many people who accept benefits are not getting enjoyment from being in that position. Let’s ignore the fact that, despite the lies spread by the haters, many in the position that they had to apply for benefits to survive do actually transition back to work as soon as able. And let’s ignore the fact that many with disabilities who have to source benefits as a safety net actually do not feel they are winning.

To be honest £300 a month in sports is a lot but given your earnings you should be able tk afford it and have days out etc. I quite believe you cant though due to taxes etc which is a problem as whats the point in working hard and earning well for little return

You only get 85% off if you work, are a carer or are disabled. An able bodied parent not working won't get it.

Agree with this. There are people in this country relying on food banks to feed their children. Our own children should be our priority as a country, not those in other countries. Foreign aid is madness when so many are struggling. I suppose it allows Kier to go on lots of foreign jollies though.

Nope, stop taking so much from working people to give to non working people. It’s skewing the whole economic system and breaking the social contract. Not taking as much from someone is not giving them anything. If you gave me £20 one week and only £10 the next week, have I given you £10? Or have you given me £30? Think about it.