Cost Of Living Crisis.

[webbo3]

high inflation is making it even tougher for people to make ends meet.

House prices in Portugal rose 18.7% in 2022, the biggest increase in three decades, and rents have also increased significantly in part due to a speculative property bubble.

They want higher wages, a cap on the prices of essential goods and government action on housing.

Is this the UK, nope, it the sunlit uplands of the EU.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/thousands-protest-portugal-over-cost-of-living-crisis-2023-02-25/

[bednobs]

not really sure what your point it. As a guess, you are revealing that portugal is in the EU?
you say "is this the UK" but you already told us it's portugal?

[New Judge]

I think it may be to demonstrate to those suggesting the UK's problems are as a result of Brexit, that it ain't necessarily so.

[Prudie]

I kinda assume that webbo is saying people are enduring inflation and cost of living crises in areas that cannot be totally blamed on the Tory Govt and/or Brexit like they are in the UK.

[bednobs]

surely everyone knows that?

[Rosetta]

Bednobs,I think webbo is trying to counterbalance the eurofiles who continually knock the Uk and contrast us badly with those who live in the EU

[nicebloke1]

The only ones that I see really struggling with the cost of living, are the same ones that have always struggled. That being the ones that still think they can doss at home, and have their bills paid by the government. The whole of going to work is firstly, to pay your way. At least that's what I was told back in the 60/70s.

[nicebloke1]

The whole IDEA. ^^^

[bednobs]

im not sure that's true NB1
benefits have gone up by inflation this year i think, whereas most working people have not had an inflation level payrise. Also the poorest in society are sort of immune from (for exmple) council tax rises

[nicebloke1]

The problem is bednobs, they have little, or no idea how to make the most of the funds they get.

[jno]

I hear they have food in their supermarkets, though.

[Prudie]

There was no shortage of anything in our local supermarkets this weekend, fruit/veg aisles were as full as normal. How disappointing....

[webbo3]

Spot on New Judge and Prudie.

[jno]

I haven't been in a supermarket since yesterday, but there were definite gaps on the shelves. Could have been panic buying, though.

[MissTerious2]

We expected missing products from our click and collect order from Morrisons on Friday. Nothing missing at all.

[rowanwitch]

Portugal 21st out of 45 European economies
Still recovering from the pandemic like everywhere else, and to a lesser extent affected by the Ukraine situation
The UK is still around 9th in the world, some lists have us higher (as high as fifth)

Probably not a fair comparison.

[Deskdiary]

“Surely everyone knows that”

Gulliver and Hymie don’t.

[pastafreak]

I was in Sainsbury's late-ish Friday afternoon and the tomato/ peppers display was barren. But Sainsbury's is not limiting purchases yet. I'm not sure what is to be gained in panic buying cucumbers and lettuce...they're not going to keep *that* long.
Some of the lack of supply here us due to farmers limiting production due to rising costs...heating poly tunnels for example.

[jno]

pasta, I suppose you might buy veg that you hope will last five days instead of two, say, and that would be enough of a change to disrupt the shop's supply patterns.

[Deskdiary]

People won’t panic buy tomatoes and lettuces - JNO was being contrary, as per.

[pastafreak]

If some supermarkets are limiting purchases, it must be because there will be people who do panic buy.

I wonder about the small restaurant and cafe owners who seem to buy all their salad stuff in the local Aldi...?