Unemployment in the UK is terrible - the Government lies about the figures
and has done since the 1970's. They don't count unemployed partners of those
who claim benefits. They don't count unemployed students. They don't count
the sick or the disabled (the few that haven't been kicked off sickness
benefits). They claim there are around 2 million unemployed. It's nearer 5 or
6 million. On top of that we have over 90% of all jobs (except in banking of
course) going to immigrants, who are terribly exploited. Stories of abuse and
illegal wage stoppages are rife.
We have amongst the most expensive train fares in the world. A first class
return ticket from Birmingham to London (120 miles each way) was around £600
last time I looked. Yes, I could get the journey for around £30, if I booked
on the right day. Book on the wrong day and it's more like £70 or maybe
£90. The prices change every day according to how far ahead the journey is.
Local bus fares in Birmingham are outrageous, It costs £2 per journey (by
way of example, it's 60p in Sheffield).
But it doesn't matter, because I'm out of work. I can't claim unemployment
benefits because my wife has a job. She doesn't earn enough to make ends meet
and we're reliant on state handouts to top up her wages (and still those ends
won't meet). But as far as our relentlessly nasty Governments are concerned I
don't claim benefits so therefore am part of no official statistics regarding
unemployment so that's OK by them. Put simply - I don't exist, so I can be
ignored. (I'm 48, with health problems).
Basic IT jobs are largely non-existent. All the big companies, the Utilities
and banks now have their IT Support Departments in India. (The same insane
offshoring is now happening to the legal profession too. No need for legal
students now they've cut Legal Aid for all cases except those where there's a
loss of liberty involved). Jobs that used to offer wages that reflected the
requirement of a degree, now start at National Minimum Wage. Payrises are a
thing of the past in the UK (unless you're in the management league of
course, then it's double digit rises year on year). You need a degree to work
in McDonalds.
So, some people in the UK earn lots of money. The majority of people are
hurting and are being squeezed relentlessly. Another 8-10% price rise for gas
has just been announced - from a company that declares profits in the
hundreds of millions and that pays no tax in the UK. Three foodbanks open a
week. The Government, far from hanging their heads in shame over this figure,
boast about it.
