How do you feel about the state of the UK?

[CharlotteACavatica]

I rarely come accross anyone that doesnt have ALOT to say about how bad its all getting, me and dp are planning to move abroad to get away from this fast declining country - but how do all of you people here feel about it? My sister thinks this country is great and its getting better if anything!!!

Charlotte-have you been to australia? having lived there, yes would be a lovely place to bring up kids...if you are blonde, blue eyed, play sport and have nothing unusual about you. Personally I would like my children to mix with different cultures and not spit on aboriginees when they walk down the street. oh and its blinkin hot.

I agree that this country has its fair share of problems,but they are not universal & despite having travelled widely,I can't imagine bringing my children up elsewhere.

I am a firm believer that you get out what you put in & also,that if you don't like something,then do something about it,don't just moan!

Therefore I help out with local community initiatives,volunteer at pre school,join fundraising commities & bring up issues with my local councillor & parish council.If something isn't right,then I do something about it,after all we all benefit,including my children.

A friend of our family emigrated to Australia,but came home because they couldn't stand the flies!

I think the NHS is still something to be extremely proud of.

I think the education system in England is appalling, and something to be ashamed of.

I think it depends where you live in the UK. I have lived in 3 different London boroughs, E.Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Manchester, Cheshire, Derbyshire. The difference in healthcare and education standards are a real eye opener - even within the counties itself. "United" Kingdom it is not - certainly not "equal". Some areas I've lived in I wish I could stay forever. Others I couldn't wait to leave.

I must be honest and say that we (dh and I) have often talked about leaving the UK and settling down somewhere else. Because my dad is from NZ, that option is v. attractive. Also we have lots of friends and relatives in Australia, which is also quite a tempting prospect.

But...the big 'but' is that our immediate families are here and certainly on dh's side there's no way they'd consider leaving.

We lost my MIL suddenly last year and it made me so glad I'd spent a lot of time with her and really got to know her, and that she'd spent so much time with the DCs even tho they were v. little. I can't help thinking that you can have sunshine, better 'standard of living' or whatever but if you haven't got your family...

Not only for us, but also for our dcs - we really want them to grow up knowing their grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins etc.

I was v. lucky growing up in that all my extended family (on my mum's side) lived in walking distance of each other and I grew up with so many adults and also other children to be in community with. Obviously dad's family in NZ we only saw every other year or so. I guess I feel I'd love to give my dcs the same secure childhood that I had.

Not to say that NZ / Oz don't beckon, but it's a tough one, to balance all those lifestyle factors on the one hand and your family on the other...

Anyone else with this dilemma?

I despise most things about the Uk and as soon as I qualify as a nurse I will be out of here like a rat up a drainpipe.

The education system is crap
Our NHS is in crisis and nurses and patients are suffering because of it
The immigration laws are a joke
The courts are worse than useless
There is nothing for children to do unless you have money
I hate the weather
Its full of racist/bigoted/narrow minded arses (well wales is anyway)

There nuff said

"The immigration laws are a joke" and you plan to become an immigrant elsewhere?

yes tinker but i plan to make a contribution to the economy of the country I am going to move to, as will my children, by working!!!!!

Ah, of course. It's always different when it's a UK citizen who is doing the emigrating.

no its different when a citizen works/has a trade regardless of their nationality.

Can you provide a breakdown of UK immigration stats for me? How many per year? Where from? How many are not "contributing"?

why can you?

I am quite entitled to my opinion as are you, so if you wanna a pick a fight go and do it elsewhere because I have had a really shit day!

I would have though that comments such as "The immigration laws are a joke" might be based on some substance. Seemingly not.

And yes, I've actually tried to

Well when people are allowed to live in the UK citing racial/religious hatred against this countries citizens, live off the state and having not worked for 13 years. I'd say that gives me some substance.

And if you dont think theres a problem then tell the government because even theyve admitted they screwed up

mosschops
Not having a go, just asking a question. Having been trained here, do you not feel that you ought to work here - albeit for a limited time?

And incidentally, it angers me hugely to see people misusing our systems.

yes fairyjay I will have to work for a year in the Uk after qualifying.

However I will not work for a pittance for the amount of work nurses do and the hours they put in. The goverment have offered 1.5percent this year against an inflation rate of 3.6percent, which effectively is a pay cut for nurses.
Plus we are not able to give the sort of care we should be giving because of staff cuts. I want to care for fewer patients and give them everything I can, and I cant do that here.

P.s did you know nurses in the uk get 6k a year to train?

Actually one of the things that shames me about this country is the way we lock up the children of failed asylum seekers in conditions you wouldn't keep a dog in. That poor guy who hung himself because he thought immigration would let his 13 yr old son stay here if he did...not to mention the South African man deported on Christmas Eve even though he had a job and paid his taxes. Nice Christmas for his wife and baby . Our system picks on easy targets. Like the sixteen yr old rape victim from Uganda who was about to have her baby and who was being kept in a secret location by social workers because it was ruled she wasn't entitled to any benefits or accommodation - they were paying for her out of their own pockets but were frightened what would happen to her if immigration found her. Failed asylum seekers do get returned to unsafe places - Ken Siro Wira (sp?)is probably the most famous victim but there are others.

I also read on another thread that in Germany the Jewish kindergartens need armed guards. So child-friendly.

well then mrsdolots thats even worse then. Another reason this country sucks!

I'm feelin fine about the state of the UK, thanks for asking.

mosschops- where you going to? I may follow ( about the bursary- england is less than a pittance - I did a thread today about trhe shocking difference between a police or fire fighters training salary and a nurses)

Nurses for some reason get shat on from a great height by the Govt- I cant understand why - would Tony B allow his wife to do the work of a nurse for pennies? course not.