How do the UK public see poverty?
People living in poverty the world over often feel their voice is not heard and their dignity is not respected. The public in the UK has tended to be more judgmental about those living in poverty than people in many other countries ? being more likely to say, for example, that poverty is due to ?laziness and lack of will-power?, rather than to ?injustice in our society?.15
from the oxfam website thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat linked below.
thought it was interesting.
sometimes a person can be worse off going for a part time job at tesco. when supporting a family. this isn't beuase benefits are so bloody well paid its becuase of the way the system is structured.
often you will work out you are even - so why bother going out to work? or that you would get maybe an extra tenner or lose a tenner.
its hard for people who ar on the bbones of their arses to look forward into the long term future - becuase all their financial planning is day to day.
those of us who can actually afford to wrok at tesco ( for example) may enjoy things such as long term friendships, social workplace learning, self esteem, confidence, feeling happier, self worth, pride in a job well done, ambition, drive, a future, goals, a pension, promotion, kick start to further education, in house training in things like assertiveness or customer care, first aid, health and safety - all free
few of which are financially beneficial or taken into account - however these factors do play out becuase moving from a job to a job is far easier than moving from unemployment to a job.
also i think it pertinant to remember that often the poorest people in society get screwed twice as much as those who are not.
utilities for example. you can't pay your gas bill - but needed the gas to keep your children warm.
they fit you a meter, charge you 25% more for use - then standing charge for the meter itself. this price goes up when you use the " emergency" button - which gives you an extra £2 ( which you have previously paid for) whilst you figure out how your going to get another fiver to keep the gas on.
this also goes for the electricity. you are less likley to be able to pass a credit check for a bank account to be opened. if indeed you were lucky enough to have one from being a child - the bank manager will tell you you are not afforded the same rights and privelages as other current account holders - infact you can deposit and withdraw money, but sometimes you cannot set up DDs ( which help you keep a better hold on finances) you cannot have a debit card - or you get "an electron" card - which is like say "look everyone i am a poor person with no bank provaliges becuase i can pay stuff sometimes" no cheque book.
often with no car - or an old car that costs more in the long run - you uselocal shopping failities - usually such places as the co-op - the fruit and veg and every thing else is much much overpriced for ethical reasons - something which you and i can chose - shall we shop there and save the planet or shall be save £30 and go tesco?
poorer people dont have that option so spend more on food.
not even got onto household insurances - which you dont get becuase you dont have the money - or your seriously overcharged becuase of where you live
oh not got onto the door to door lenders who offer you stuff at ....wait for it.....125%
well would you? or are yours the only kids to get fuck all this xmas?