I Hate To See The Poverty In My Country

There is so much of it too but people walk through their lives wearing blinkers, ignoring the injustices happening within the UK right now.

I speak from experience, I live in poverty. I live in a one bed flat with a housing association with a part-time job which pays above the national average, while doing a part-time degree with the aim of bettering myself and getting myself out of this survival.

I have never been at all materialistic, living frugally and by my means. My only expenditure this month that wasn't a necessity was a night out with my friends. My rent and council tax is cheap and I've chosen my suppliers with care, finding the best and cheapest for my situation.

And yet, I am utterly broke and it is three weeks until payday.

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GlassDog · 46-50, M

What seems to have happened in this country are that the lower middle earners and lower earners are being squeezed until they can barely survive. I've never understood why the disparity between rich and poor increases when the economy is in poor shape. That's the time when we really need to be helping those who are just about managing (or not managing, because their quality of life is impaired).

What most people don't seem to realise is that if only 5% of your income is disposable, it only takes a 5% increase in prices, or drop in wages, and then you have zero disposable income. More than 5% and you can no longer afford even the most basic life.

We're not asking for a socialist utopia where everyone earns the same. A 5% tax hike on the top 10% (where 2.5% earn more than £100k) raises just over fifteen billion pounds. That's £2500 a year for the poorest 10%. How much difference would £50 a week make to you? How much difference would 5% extra tax make to someone earning £150k? I guarantee it means more to you than them.

WorldlyWoes · 36-40, M

@GlassDog: That's very well put.