Is the UK going into mass decline?

Thanks to the Tories in the eighties instilling a capitalist 'Im alright Jack' attitude and the Bliar Govt deciding to carry on the great Tory traditions we now find ourselves in 2007 in what state?
Ok many people capitalised on buying a home when they were cheap and available but now we have people borrowing between 4 and 6 times their income to be first time buyers. People basically run up a massive debt as we all live on the never never. Jobs are so insecure now. The manufacturing industry has collapsed as this country doesnt make anything anymore, so we all work at our desks on a computer either selling something either first hand or are part of the chain of our consumerist society. Even the service industry is struggling as banks shed jobs because computers speed up the process and we can just get customers to ring or use the net. Major chain stores like HMV and M and S are no longer making profits, while others such as Kwik Save simply have given up the ghost putting another load of people on the dole. Everywhere there is cutbacks as companies put profit over everything else. The UK ships out work to call centres abroad because its cheaper and customers are treated like crap and are forced into using direct debits to keep their bills down.
But people just dont seem to care as long as they look proseperous ie have a house, car and a few Japanese gadgets round the house.
So where exactly is the jobs market strong right now? Which companies are doing well and what exactly is the future for a country that is so reliant on the consumer to keep the economy ticking over?
is it all going to end in disaster?
And will that Peruvian guy ever get his work permit sorted?

I'd really like to know peoples opinions on this. Any thoughts?

 

When shipping costs become prohibitive it will all return!

!</p>

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Sounds old hat but

I would love to be back in the time when quality and service actually meant something.

I have my own business and there are always other companies who will knock another 500 quid off a job just to win it. Problem is you 500 quids worth less of service and it costs you more than that to put right the bodging done by the first guy.

Good thing from me is that when we hit the bottom line where I cant offer the service level to the customer I walk and let the cheapo crappy service guy have it and then sit and wait for the call to come and sort out the mess.

But in life in general we seem to have lost the pride in a job well done, its all about shafting the other guy ( not gay or owt like...purely metawotsit) and how much money can we steam out of your wallet.

These overseas call centres, what are they all about..they are all ***** thats what they are. Really gets my napper when you think that everything is coming out of China and the rest of that area and yes they may only get paid a few pennys but the things still have to be shipped over and for sure the shipping company doesnt get pennies nor the haulage and then the company buying it have to stick a margin on it.

So why cant uk growers and manufacturers etc supply at competetive rates..greed pure and simple we are a greedy society.

Anyway i've spouted enough nonsensical hogwash, I feel thoroughly vented in the spleen area now.

Next one, it's your turn

BT

 

Im no economist but

How exactly does a country survive long term on an economy purely based on a consumer buying stuff? Where will we be in 20 years time? Just half a dozen major shops controlling the workforce who also spend all their money at the place they work?
i just dont get it. where are all the jobs being created these days?

 

RE: Im no economist but

I seem to recall reading in the last 12 months that the construction industry was booming-can't get enough workers

 

RE: Im no economist but

i've no idea how it works but aside from the US, the biggest economies (whatever that means) are the likes of Germany and Japan - two countries who since their questionable tactics in WW2 have been a little quiet if you ignore that wall that was knocked down....i don't remember them deciding that letting in a load of scroats from nearby countries would give their economies a boost?

 

Have you seen original series Auf Pet?

.

 

RE: Have you seen original series Auf Pet?

ha ha point taken

 

It's likely to get a lot worse before it gets better. The banks don't lend money for nothing.

Even customer service / call centre industry appears to have reached its peak sometime ago...

 

I live in Germany, believe me...

... the situation there is dire. Mass unemployment, those in work scared to ask for a pay rise.

I know professional people there who have not had a rise for 6 years and are struggling to run a car.

Young people who leave school with no qualifications might as well top themselves there is no hope for them.

If you manage to find a training scheme after leaving school at about 18-21, you get paid about £150 a month.

You can't claim unemployment benefit or social security until you are 27 (well you can but the DHSS there claim it back from your parents)

Immigrants all over working on the black market for cash.

Gang warfare and drug clashes are rife.

If you're over 40 you've no chance of a job unless you are a rocket scientist

Those in work pay far more tax then we do in the UK

The UK is not perfect but we have a lot to be proud of at the moment

 

RE: I live in Germany, believe me...

eek, i didn't realise that, i thought germany was like australia where everyone just got on with it and led quite nice lives - although my only experience of australia is ramsay street on neighbours - i'm being told that isn't a reality tv show?

 

Floggin off home-grown industry, thats whats done it.
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Aye, its cheaper in the short term to import yer coal from Romania or god knows where and build everythig in China, but a long term home grown industry provides constant jobs for the population and keeps em all off the state's benefits.</p>

I dunno, it's a load of b*ll*cks...</p>

 

RE: I live in Germany, believe me...

Aye, but I bet the trains still run on time.</p>

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Believe it or not they're on strike at the moment!!!

Well not every day but a series of 1 day strikes

 

RE: wonder why we never hear of this?

i spend a good number of hours each day watching the various news channels and never hear anything of this? you'd think that if they let the general UK public know that it isn't all rosy in somewhere like Germany then we might not feel as if we have it so bad?

 

Where would be the fun in that?

.

 

RE: Where would be the fun in that?

I thinkk there'd be LOTS of fun in hearing the Germans were having a worse time than us!!

 

Not sure the readers of the Daily Mail / Express/Star and the Sun

would like to hear it though.</p>

We have it the worst of everywhere in the world.</p>

 

Simple answer would be

Protectionism. This would require pull out of EU (no bad thing), thus companies who are having goods made in China and India, have to pay prohibitive taxes on these goods to protect home grown industry. Proper taxes on air flights to keep money in the country. Exchange Control Laws etc. Simplistic, I know. But something along these lines.

 

RE: Simple answer would be

Careful, it's almost like you're suggesting a controlled economy here! The Blairites'll be out in force!

I, sort of, agree except to say what have we got to protect regarding manufacturing, etcetera? Should never have allowed the decimation of the traditional industries...