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Is Austerity Something We Will Have To Live With Always?
The term AUSTERITY was brought in and used by David Cameron telling everyone that "we're in it together"
I wonder when we're going to break free of that mantra? If ever
I wonder when we're going to break free of that mantra? If ever
Answers
Austerity is something that hits the poor and/or unemployed and or sick etc.. If you are in a fortunate position you may well not notice. When the Chancellor loosens the purse strings and starts investing in the nation again, that's when we're free of austerity.
18:49 Fri 19th Jul 2019
Austerity? What austerity?
In the 11 years since the banking crisis I haven't experienced any austerity, and neither has anybody I know, so I really struggle with the idea that we're living in austere times.
I accept those that were receiving free money from the taxpayer in generous benefits (and they were generous) have had their wings clipped, but (a) I couldn't care any less if I tried and (b) it was long overdue, but has there really been austerity? No.
In the 11 years since the banking crisis I haven't experienced any austerity, and neither has anybody I know, so I really struggle with the idea that we're living in austere times.
I accept those that were receiving free money from the taxpayer in generous benefits (and they were generous) have had their wings clipped, but (a) I couldn't care any less if I tried and (b) it was long overdue, but has there really been austerity? No.
I agree with you Deskdiary. None of my friends or relatives have noticed austerity. Yes, we may not have quite so much money left over at the end of the month. I know quite a few nurses and teachers and there is no way they cannot make ends meet. I suppose it depends on what their priorities are - iPhones or food.
Calicogirl - you're believing in something that simply isn't true.
My first wife is a nurse, and I can assure you they are not badly paid. Granted they may need to do a bit of overtime or agency work (but hours wise no more than I do, and I'm unpaid for extra hours) but don't believe for a minute they're on the breadline.
I remember my first wife working an agency shift on Xmas day night, on the ward she normally worked on, and she was being paid about £50 an hour. Oh, by the way, this was in the early 2000s.
My first wife is a nurse, and I can assure you they are not badly paid. Granted they may need to do a bit of overtime or agency work (but hours wise no more than I do, and I'm unpaid for extra hours) but don't believe for a minute they're on the breadline.
I remember my first wife working an agency shift on Xmas day night, on the ward she normally worked on, and she was being paid about £50 an hour. Oh, by the way, this was in the early 2000s.
I accept the early 2000s were 8 years before the crash, but let's face it, nurses and teachers have always moaned about how much they earn.
I just don't buy the idea that nurses and teachers visit food banks. In fact, I find the very idea preposterous, unless they are simply impecunious, and therefore they have nobody to blame but themselves.
I just don't buy the idea that nurses and teachers visit food banks. In fact, I find the very idea preposterous, unless they are simply impecunious, and therefore they have nobody to blame but themselves.
>So you've not seen a foodbank then Deskdiary, used by people like nurses and teachers to make ends meet?
Well I've not. i've never seen a genuine case- the only one I've seen was a nurse who only worked part time or occasionally. If a teacher, even one only on the starting point of nearly £24000, needs to use a foodbank, then the circumstances must be exceptional and outside the government's control.
Well I've not. i've never seen a genuine case- the only one I've seen was a nurse who only worked part time or occasionally. If a teacher, even one only on the starting point of nearly £24000, needs to use a foodbank, then the circumstances must be exceptional and outside the government's control.
People telling us they can't afford to put food on the table for their children whilst they puff away on their £10 per pack of ciggies and checking up with their mates on Facebook with their latest Iphones. Most don't have a clue how to put a cheap nutritious meal on the table and rely on junk food too much because they are lazy or inept.
A couple of holidays a year does not appear to be out of the reach of some pensioners (including me) . Satellite dishes spring up on most residential premises and subscription doesn't come cheap. Youngsters filling up on booze at the local pubs in their designer clothes before they go clubbing.I see no sign of austerity. My father told me what life was like in the valleys in the 30's where his school mates came to school with no shoes and were sewn into their one shirt for the winter. Rickets were rife in kids and hair nits inevitable because water for bathing could not be heated.
A couple of holidays a year does not appear to be out of the reach of some pensioners (including me) . Satellite dishes spring up on most residential premises and subscription doesn't come cheap. Youngsters filling up on booze at the local pubs in their designer clothes before they go clubbing.I see no sign of austerity. My father told me what life was like in the valleys in the 30's where his school mates came to school with no shoes and were sewn into their one shirt for the winter. Rickets were rife in kids and hair nits inevitable because water for bathing could not be heated.
Anyway, I think the term austerity is meaningless. When has there not been 'austerity'. It means taking care to spend only what you can afford to spend (or invest). I think there were times under New Labour when money was sometimes spent without regard to who would pay for it but even then there was pay restraint for public sector workers as Alistair Darling was a realist.
https:/
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One 'neutral' link, one leftie link and a rightwinger for good measure.
Enjoy.
https:/
https:/
One 'neutral' link, one leftie link and a rightwinger for good measure.
Enjoy.
I think people are over simplifying things by saying ‘me and my friends aren’t affected’, it’s so easy to a have a ‘head in the sand’ approach to things we don’t want to see.
My husband lost his job at the end of April. We applied for universal credit (which is far more complicated than you might think), we did everything by the book but there was a ‘systems glitch’ (which no one could explain) and hey presto, we had to start again. Had to apply for an advance which is paid back monthly over a year. Eventually got our first ‘payment’ 6 June. Fortunately, I am not an idiot so I had the funds to pay for everything we needed but imagine that you don’t have anything put by (because you’re in a low paid job) how do you suppose these people last for 9 weeks with no income?
My husband lost his job at the end of April. We applied for universal credit (which is far more complicated than you might think), we did everything by the book but there was a ‘systems glitch’ (which no one could explain) and hey presto, we had to start again. Had to apply for an advance which is paid back monthly over a year. Eventually got our first ‘payment’ 6 June. Fortunately, I am not an idiot so I had the funds to pay for everything we needed but imagine that you don’t have anything put by (because you’re in a low paid job) how do you suppose these people last for 9 weeks with no income?
Give us the figures then Calico. Explain why someone earning a good salary ( starting on say £23000pa) would need to use a foodbank . Incomings/outgoings- can't even afford to make soup and eat carrots, potatoes, bananas, porridge, never mind a car, mobile phone, holidays.
All examples I've seen have not been credible. If nurses need foodbanks why don't millions of pensioners and all those on below average earnings.
All examples I've seen have not been credible. If nurses need foodbanks why don't millions of pensioners and all those on below average earnings.
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