Austerity - how long now?
Discussion
chim said:
If someone can point me to the hardship we are supposed to be feeling I would be most grateful, otherwise it seems to me that we spend a lot of time reading/moaning about it and very little actually experiencing it. I came out through the 70's crisis as a kid and lived my teenage years in the early eighties. Both of these occasions where far far worse than anything I am seeing now, in fact there is just no comparison.
I have to agree - Things seemed a lot more hopeless 30 years ago, plus the standard of living from those times to now is worlds apart. Perhaps it's because we've hardly seen the worst of it yet.Robsti said:
chim said:
I am more wondering when it will actually start, I keep hearing everyone banging on about austerity and how tough it is etc etc, as yet though I have seen almost zero evidence of this. From a personal view point I have not been impacted in the slightest, in fact I am doing very well thank you. Looking around though I can see no slow down in new cars on the road, people booking fancy holidays and flat screen tellies and iPhones still seem to flying off the shelf.
If someone can point me to the hardship we are supposed to be feeling I would be most grateful, otherwise it seems to me that we spend a lot of time reading/moaning about it and very little actually experiencing it. I came out through the 70's crisis as a kid and lived my teenage years in the early eighties. Both of these occasions where far far worse than anything I am seeing now, in fact there is just no comparison.
If someone can point me to the hardship we are supposed to be feeling I would be most grateful, otherwise it seems to me that we spend a lot of time reading/moaning about it and very little actually experiencing it. I came out through the 70's crisis as a kid and lived my teenage years in the early eighties. Both of these occasions where far far worse than anything I am seeing now, in fact there is just no comparison.
Steffan said:
Robsti said:
chim said:
I am more wondering when it will actually start, I keep hearing everyone banging on about austerity and how tough it is etc etc, as yet though I have seen almost zero evidence of this. From a personal view point I have not been impacted in the slightest, in fact I am doing very well thank you. Looking around though I can see no slow down in new cars on the road, people booking fancy holidays and flat screen tellies and iPhones still seem to flying off the shelf.
If someone can point me to the hardship we are supposed to be feeling I would be most grateful, otherwise it seems to me that we spend a lot of time reading/moaning about it and very little actually experiencing it. I came out through the 70's crisis as a kid and lived my teenage years in the early eighties. Both of these occasions where far far worse than anything I am seeing now, in fact there is just no comparison.
If someone can point me to the hardship we are supposed to be feeling I would be most grateful, otherwise it seems to me that we spend a lot of time reading/moaning about it and very little actually experiencing it. I came out through the 70's crisis as a kid and lived my teenage years in the early eighties. Both of these occasions where far far worse than anything I am seeing now, in fact there is just no comparison.
Besides, this was in response to the op question, when will austerity end, my answer is that it has not started as our living standards have not noticably reduced in the past three years since the crash.
Fair enough.
In the 1920's and 1930's huge houses were built in Leicester when the rest of the country was on its knees, now` almost all halls of Residence at Uni. My mother often pointed them out to me as mansions being erected at the time of the Jarrow marches.
Absolutely glorious mansions, which demonstrates all too clearly, that not everyone will be affected.
IMO the benefits society is reaching its natural nadir in the UK.
When there is serious debate and dispute against a government proposal that no family should receive benefits of more than £35,000 a year (grossed up value of £26,000 net of tax) the extent of the change in attitude that is needed is pretty obvious.
I am not anticipating a sudden drop in affluence.
But I think it will become harder year by year for individuals within the UK to save and prosper as each year goes by. Permanently.
As tome goes by longer working hours will be required and as we can all see the retirement age will be extended so that IMO, within ten years it will be in the 70's for the UK. May well extend beyond that.
Final salary pension funds will cease to exist largely over the next few years. Indeed, given the lack of propensity to save, as belts tighten, i think many people will drop out of contributory pensions altogether.
The propensity to save will be diminished. Fuel prices will soar and energy costs will soar behind them. There will be far less pleasure motoring and far less leisure pursuits on a cost and time basis. I fear we may well see the ten pound gallon within the next ten years.
Year on year this will gradually worsen.
But no sudden drop. Just a gradual pernicious decline.
If you can make a fortune and give yourself real choices with domicile, residency and lifestyle you could escape this.
The average lot in society, will in the UK, be much poorer year on year.
Steadily.
In the 1920's and 1930's huge houses were built in Leicester when the rest of the country was on its knees, now` almost all halls of Residence at Uni. My mother often pointed them out to me as mansions being erected at the time of the Jarrow marches.
Absolutely glorious mansions, which demonstrates all too clearly, that not everyone will be affected.
IMO the benefits society is reaching its natural nadir in the UK.
When there is serious debate and dispute against a government proposal that no family should receive benefits of more than £35,000 a year (grossed up value of £26,000 net of tax) the extent of the change in attitude that is needed is pretty obvious.
I am not anticipating a sudden drop in affluence.
But I think it will become harder year by year for individuals within the UK to save and prosper as each year goes by. Permanently.
As tome goes by longer working hours will be required and as we can all see the retirement age will be extended so that IMO, within ten years it will be in the 70's for the UK. May well extend beyond that.
Final salary pension funds will cease to exist largely over the next few years. Indeed, given the lack of propensity to save, as belts tighten, i think many people will drop out of contributory pensions altogether.
The propensity to save will be diminished. Fuel prices will soar and energy costs will soar behind them. There will be far less pleasure motoring and far less leisure pursuits on a cost and time basis. I fear we may well see the ten pound gallon within the next ten years.
Year on year this will gradually worsen.
But no sudden drop. Just a gradual pernicious decline.
If you can make a fortune and give yourself real choices with domicile, residency and lifestyle you could escape this.
The average lot in society, will in the UK, be much poorer year on year.
Steadily.
Edited by Steffan on Tuesday 28th February 17:47
bigdog3 said:
UKIP could make effective coalition partners to the Tories. Might even get some decent policies and strong leadership rather than all this compromised crap. Nigel is a much better choice for Deputy PM than Nick.
Problem with UKIP is they only tend to do well in places where the Tories are well-established. Disillusioned Lib Dem voters are unlikely to vote UKIP unfortunately.chim said:
I'm not wishing for anything at all, just finding it rather difficult to find evidence of this complete meltdown that folks like yourself Steffan have been going on about for 3 years now. There is little evidence of this in everyday life, maybe it is coming, but it seems to be bloody slow in getting here.
Besides, this was in response to the op question, when will austerity end, my answer is that it has not started as our living standards have not noticably reduced in the past three years since the crash.
personal experience etc...Besides, this was in response to the op question, when will austerity end, my answer is that it has not started as our living standards have not noticably reduced in the past three years since the crash.
I've taken a 50-70% drop in income, if bank rates had stayed high I'd've been bankrupt.
Neighbour over the road had 5 or 6 months of severely reduced work (short shifts/no shifts/enforced holiday) in 2009 that they are only now just recovering from.
Partners big blue chip employer is going through a cost cutting exercise due to reduced income, losing something like 300 staff in a particular division (not sure on percentages, but its not the biggest division by a long way)
Talking to businesses, they are still hunkered down and not planning on massive spend any time soon.
HTH
bigdog3 said:
crankedup said:
Can't see UKIP gathering much momentum in the three years to the next General Election. Its only the relative few that take an interest in politics that has a notion of who they are and what they stand for. One leader with plenty of zazz, and I like his style. Your comments do make sense but I don't see that they are ready to take Office just yet.
UKIP could make effective coalition partners to the Tories. Might even get some decent policies and strong leadership rather than all this compromised crap. Nigel is a much better choice for Deputy PM than Nick.crankedup said:
Any Party that forms a coalition Government is going to have to compromise on their political beliefs to an extent that the Coalition Government can continue in Office. UKIP v Conservative back benches views regarding Europe would make an interesting situation.
Many Tory back benchers hold views on Europe which are closer to UKIP than their own party (possibly the majority). Invariably politics is a game of compromise but there is distinct synergy between core Conservatism and UKIP policy. bigdog3 said:
Many Tory back benchers hold views on Europe which are closer to UKIP than their own party (possibly the majority). Invariably politics is a game of compromise but there is distinct synergy between core Conservatism and UKIP policy.
Indeed, but it must be remembered that the Europe issue is one that has almost blown the Conservatives apart more then once during the past 30 years. As a Lib-Dem I would love to see a UKIP/Conservative arrangement for it wouldn't last very long at all. Maybe this is a discussion which deserves its own thread?crankedup said:
As a Lib-Dem I would love to see a UKIP/Conservative arrangement for it wouldn't last very long at all.
You may think that, but I'm not convinced you're right. Have a creeping suspicion that a Conservative/UKIP Coalition could function very well, to the benefit of both parties and our country 
chim said:
I am more wondering when it will actually start, I keep hearing everyone banging on about austerity and how tough it is etc etc, as yet though I have seen almost zero evidence of this. From a personal view point I have not been impacted in the slightest, in fact I am doing very well thank you. Looking around though I can see no slow down in new cars on the road, people booking fancy holidays and flat screen tellies and iPhones still seem to flying off the shelf.
If someone can point me to the hardship we are supposed to be feeling I would be most grateful, otherwise it seems to me that we spend a lot of time reading/moaning about it and very little actually experiencing it. I came out through the 70's crisis as a kid and lived my teenage years in the early eighties. Both of these occasions where far far worse than anything I am seeing now, in fact there is just no comparison.
Isn't it a bit ridiculous to assume there is no problem just because you're not suffering? As with any economic downturn there will be a large chunk of people unaffected by it. The sales of cars, holidays and TVs would suggest people are actually buying less of them than they used to.If someone can point me to the hardship we are supposed to be feeling I would be most grateful, otherwise it seems to me that we spend a lot of time reading/moaning about it and very little actually experiencing it. I came out through the 70's crisis as a kid and lived my teenage years in the early eighties. Both of these occasions where far far worse than anything I am seeing now, in fact there is just no comparison.
spud989 said:
Robsti said:
You will know when it gets bad good, stockbrokers, bankers and IFAs will be jumping off buildings until then it's all good! and maybe the ones that are left will learn to stop playing with money that doesn't exist.
EFA, as they say. 
There are plenty of people suffering actually , mostly young adults trying to make a start in life , with the public sector not hiring and other jobs scarce young people coming out of universities and schools promised by labour that the effort would be worth it are left deciding whether to be a call centre worker , cleaner or carer . A lot of the members on here made their money years ago, have a house mortgage etc so are not that badly effected . Im 23 , have £15k of student debt ,live with my parents and have no hope of getting a mortgage in the foreseeable future. I’m a qualified biomedical scientist but cant get a job as the NHS aren’t hiring and every job interview I go to is also attended by people with a lot more experience and no one is willing to take a risk and hire someone young .
I’m currently working in a call centre on minimum wage , and I know I’m not alone as the unemployment rate for 16 - 25 y/o is about 25% .I don’t really like moaning about it because most people say "that’s just life" but its annoying when people say threes no austerity when actually its severely effecting the youth of today and I fear creating a "lost generation" of young people such as myself who see this whole debacle as the older generations selling out our future while they still enjoy the luxuries of decent jobs and houses paid for with debt that the young are now having to deal with and pay off .
I’m currently working in a call centre on minimum wage , and I know I’m not alone as the unemployment rate for 16 - 25 y/o is about 25% .I don’t really like moaning about it because most people say "that’s just life" but its annoying when people say threes no austerity when actually its severely effecting the youth of today and I fear creating a "lost generation" of young people such as myself who see this whole debacle as the older generations selling out our future while they still enjoy the luxuries of decent jobs and houses paid for with debt that the young are now having to deal with and pay off .
willz2008 said:
There are plenty of people suffering actually , mostly young adults trying to make a start in life , with the public sector not hiring and other jobs scarce young people coming out of universities and schools promised by labour that the effort would be worth it are left deciding whether to be a call centre worker , cleaner or carer . A lot of the members on here made their money years ago, have a house mortgage etc so are not that badly effected . Im 23 , have £15k of student debt ,live with my parents and have no hope of getting a mortgage in the foreseeable future. I’m a qualified biomedical scientist but cant get a job as the NHS aren’t hiring and every job interview I go to is also attended by people with a lot more experience and no one is willing to take a risk and hire someone young .
I’m currently working in a call centre on minimum wage , and I know I’m not alone as the unemployment rate for 16 - 25 y/o is about 25% .I don’t really like moaning about it because most people say "that’s just life" but its annoying when people say threes no austerity when actually its severely effecting the youth of today and I fear creating a "lost generation" of young people such as myself who see this whole debacle as the older generations selling out our future while they still enjoy the luxuries of decent jobs and houses paid for with debt that the young are now having to deal with and pay off .
Well, get of your butt and get a descent job, you are hardly likely to get the bloody debt paid off any time soon if you are sitting in a minimum wage job I’m currently working in a call centre on minimum wage , and I know I’m not alone as the unemployment rate for 16 - 25 y/o is about 25% .I don’t really like moaning about it because most people say "that’s just life" but its annoying when people say threes no austerity when actually its severely effecting the youth of today and I fear creating a "lost generation" of young people such as myself who see this whole debacle as the older generations selling out our future while they still enjoy the luxuries of decent jobs and houses paid for with debt that the young are now having to deal with and pay off .
Bloody youngsters, you leave them with one simple job to do and they manage to f
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