Basic economics

He could use a car but then you incur excess parking fees & vehicle congestion charges for central London hence relying on the train, plus we are now talking £2 a litre for fuel

 

Any bus services that may get him close to work, e.g. National Express although that maybe as costly and adding to journey time. Traffic into London and parking will be a nightmare I should imagine.

 

Its a problem not just for him but for thousands of others ,lets hope employers show a degree of sympathy ,but I would not hold my breath on that one lol

 

Apologies, fair point.
But does fairness really come into it when people are fighting to retain or better a standard of living. And if that means taking the only action they have left. Then so be it.
Is it fair that those that strike. Having little or no effect on the public but only on the business they work for. Are able to do so without criticism from the government. Irrespective of whatever party are in rule.
This government will, if given the go ahead to ban public transport strikes. Will do so. Leaving the workers at their beck and call. And the employers rubbing their hands with joy.

 

In the UK, in the 2 years 2019 to 2021, the cost of living in the UK has risen bu 45% for the average household. The RPI is currently running at 9% and is expected to rise. 12 years of Austerity and cheap credit, expecting the economy to grow by consumer spending and reducing the public sector. All this mismanagement of the macro and micro economy by a Conservative government, is now coming home to roost big time.
It's not about political ideology, it's about going to work and having enough to pay bills. Surely in any country, people in full time work should not be struggling to exist?
You don't live in this country anymore and don't have to tolerate the daily lies and propaganda aimed at ordinary citizens. Perhaps you could ask your Italian neighbours about life under a repressive fascist regime because that is certainly what it's like in the UK now.
How,are people meant to find an extra 2 to 3 thousands pounds a year extra to pay for essentials, when their income does not increase?
This is the question journalists don't ask and politicians refuse to discuss.
SO I ASK ANYONE READING THIS, HOW DO WE AND EVERYONE ELSE DO IT?
Sorry to have a go TT,but I am sick of people having a go at people who are desperate. Other than violence and revolution, what options do we have???

 

Jump yo 8m24s to see Ash Sarker on GMB explain why the RMT are striking. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=a...ate=ive&vld=cid:77eb0a36,vid:epcW-YcHsQE,st:0

 

She's good. I want her representing me. In everything I ever do.

 

Where does the idea that the cost of living rose by 45% between 2019 and 2021? That can't be right, Shirley.

 

Brilliant, put that idiot firmly in his place.

 

Good watch. A prime example of someone trying to pitch the poor paid, against workers and unions. using a guilt trip as a reason.
She (Ash) spoke far more sense than her w4nker opponent.

 

Shirley who. ?

 

Apologies, I put the wrong date,it is 2010 not 2019,sorry Gegenpresser.
Basic analysis of prices paid for everyday household items and bills as calculated by the Retail prices index. Information provided by the Unison union. I was shocked as well but if you think about it,it is possible. My salary increase over the same period was 1%, per year as a public employee. My salary increase this year was 1.75%, which equates to £250 per year. So you can see my reasons to be angry at the cost of living crisis, as it's described. This affects at least 75% of working households negatively, I would guess. Where is the hope for us??.

 

It always seems that the less well-off have to take one for the team while the better-off must be humored or they will take their bat home!

Anyway, the best and most impartial commentary I've seen so far is Paul Johnson's column in The Times this morning. I'm not sure whether you can access it through Paul's website:
Institute for Fiscal Studies on Twitter: " The hardest decision for ministers is yet to come: what to do about public sector pay @PJTheEconomist in @thetimes this morning on why the case for pay offers at or close to present inflation levels is strong and case against is equally compelling. https://t.co/AMyf09fRfQ" / Twitter

 

No need to apologise for "having a go" as I agree with much of what you say.

The thread took the politicised direction I suppose I expected but if anyone really read the OP carefully, however unpalatable the content, it was about the economic mechanisms that causes the boom and bust cycle that we see. I was not attributing blame just highlighting the problems that unregulated capitalism.globalisation, etc. that successive Western Govts have created and how difficult it is to extricate themselves from (even if they had the will to do so).
It is true that the 'have' and 'have not' gap is widening to a level not seen since Victorian times. Workers rights are being eroded too, albeit not reaching the level (yet) of the days of rich mill owners, mine and land owners with their Tommy shops who could hire fire and evict families at will nor shoeless children playing in the streets.
I have no problem with universal union membership, now more than ever needed, nor the right to withdraw labour, but my issue is the timing and severity of any action. In effect we, and most of Europe and beyond are on a war footing, not just the actual war with Russia, but the aftermath of the shambles of the bungled Brexit (that word again) deal followed in quick succession by the Pandemic. Logistics causing major shortages of components and staples compounds the issues.

In no way was I/am defending Government policy. Be it France, Germany, USA UK the rich and powerful protect their own interest at the expense of the majority and always have.
All I was pointing out was that the Cost of living is a major issue but if, for example the Govt print more money , the pound decreases n value and as a net importer process wiil rise still further increasing inflation.
Govt borrowing more will increase costs of servicing the debt, again meaning taxes would have to increase hitting the public
Windfall taxes, increasing Corporation and business taxes reduce investment, foreign companies and investors leaving, job losses, higher Benefit bills combined with reduced tax income leading to higher taxation on those who are in employment.

Striking for more money to pay bills is understandable but it is a short term fix that will make thing seven worse medium term. What happens then, Strike for even more money to cover the inevitable price rises due to increased labour costs leading hyper inflation.

The only solution is breaking the greed culture and need for constant growth in the investment markets. Tax, 'futures' and activities in money generated from non productive activities i.e. tax on share dealings, high value FX exchanges etc. but it would require all the trade centres throughout the World to do the same and that wont happen.

We have reached the point where many working families are having to make the same budgetary decisions as those wher one or both have just been made redundant, cutting out , not just luxuries but trying to save on basics and essentials.

Coming back to your post and to Quote...."SO I ASK ANYONE READING THIS, HOW DO WE AND EVERYONE ELSE DO IT?"
THAT is what my point was, but from the other perspective of how Govts solve the problem.

Finally, Italy too, is experiencing very high inflation circa 10%, Manypeople, especially in the public sector have very low pay, and many business (it was even reported here a few days ago see 500 euros per month as a decent wage!!! Food fuel and basic prices have skyrocketed here so the issue is not UK exclusive.

IMHO striking for more pay is NOT the answer, but in all honesty I do not have a clue what is. Lowering costs would seem to be the way forward but as per above how to do that??

 

Disgustingly, police were instructed to clear the streets of homeless people in prominent London locations where tourists may have seen them over the jubilee weekend. This seemed to spread further than would have been obvious as whitechapel mission suffered a huge drop in people. Typically, they serve around 600-800 people a day (a shocking number in itself). On the Sunday of the Jubilee weekend, they served breakfast to just 80.

 

If we're doing "Government actions that have irrevocably screwed working class people" then you've missed the biggest and most obvious one.

 

With respect what has this to do with the OP?

 

It was a reply to a post within this thread.