Forum Topic

Poverty in the UK

Whilst others get in such a tizz over the wholly imaginary threat to our food supplies, here's some really shocking news: research by the Social Metrics Commission has found that a third of children,  and almost a quarter of the overall population of the UK is living in poverty - and this in the 6th richest economy in the world!https://wpieconomics.com/poverty-rates-now-higher-than-at-any-other-time-in-the-21st-century/

Richard Carter ● 37d10 Comments

Plenty of asylum seekers would be able to fill the professional jobs that sit unfilled too.  Many have more and better qualifications than UK citizens.

Philippa Bond ● 37d

If asylum seekers were allowed to work while their applications were dealt with there'd be a lower cost for their food and accommodation and fewer vacancies, so surely there'd be more wealth creation?

Michael Ixer ● 37d

'The estimated number of vacancies in the UK in August to October 2024 was 831,000, a decrease of 35,000, or 4.0%, from May to July 2024'. Source ONS.So there are jobs to be had even if it is quite likely that immigrants are taking others as they are probably content to find any work at all.

John Hawkes ● 37d

How many of our people are unable to get a job, even in a shop. Yet they pay out for illegals 3 meals a day and a roof over their head. Prisons feed the criminals better than our old people can feed themselves.  Schools don't cook decent meals like they used too.

Barbara Stevens ● 37d

Can someone define what is meant by 'living in poverty' ?

John Hawkes ● 37d

Not for much longer if Martha Reeves and Keith Starmer have their way.

Andy Pike ● 37d

Thank you Michael and Richard for confirming that the UK continues to be the 6th richest economy in the world.

Ivonne Holliday ● 37d

Thanks, Ivonne.  "this poverty is certainly not due to farmers."No, of course it isn't, and I didn’t suggest that it was."I am not too sure that the UK continues to be the 6th richest economy in the world."It does: in 2023, it was the sixth-largest global economy, behind the United States, China, Japan, Germany, and India: https://www.statista.com/topics/6500/the-british-economy/

Richard Carter ● 37d

According to Forbes the UK is still #6 in the GDP rankings:https://www.forbesindia.com/article/explainers/top-10-largest-economies-in-the-world/86159/1#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20upholds%20its,position%20from%201960%20to%202024.

Michael Ixer ● 37d

Yes, Richard, the poverty in the UK is beyond appalling.  But this poverty is certainly not due to farmers.The biggest wealth creators in the UK are centered in the City on the whole:  banking, pension funds, construction contractors, legal activities, management consultants, computer consultants, security and commodity contracts brokerage, building project development, business process outsourcing.  https://www.ibisworld.com/united-kingdom/industry-trends/most-profitable-industries/As you see, farming is not included in the list.I am not too sure that the UK continues to be the 6th richest economy in the world, but may be wrong.

Ivonne Holliday ● 37d