When is being skint ?

[Heathblue]

Re: When is being skint ?

I agree with most of that, but what is your definition of 'real poverty'?

I have seen people and places (in south east Asia) where there is little or no state health or education support, where wages are a pittance and where the daily struggle is for food, water or heating/shelter. The same is true in many other parts of the world where subsistence farming has been destroyed by massive agri-businesses, in urban shanty towns and war zones. It is generally not true in Europe or North America - but that doesn't mean there is no poverty there.

The standard or definition for poverty does not have to mean starving to death. It is a social definition - one based on a society's view of what a minimum should look like in income, secure and safe housing, access to affordable food and basic services. In the UK there are hundreds of thousands (if not millions) who don't meet the minimum standard we set ourselves - often whilst working in 2 or 3 jobs and claiming benefits, living in insecure and/or damp housing, and through a postcode lottery excluded from some basic services. That is poverty. Those amongst us are not out downing shots in Cardiff city centre on a Saturday afternoon.

T.O.B.W makes a good point about the amount of boozers shutting down, a lot of this will have been offset with the change in habits of buying cheaper grog from the supermarkets, I also think that habits have changed as well, me and Doris fall into this category. we go out early and come home before closing time, pubs were rammed yesterday around 17.00 but were comfortable around 21.00 (the pubs we went in)

[Tuerto]

Re: When is being skint ?

I work in Ely A lot. Plenty of the properties i visit don't put their heating on in winter, don't have carpets. They're poor, the words '**** All' spring to mind. The kids Bedrooms are sparse and then there's all the other shit that goes with poverty, like social problems, lack of choice, no control, services that have been decimated due to cuts. All in all it's a horrible thing to witness. It's getting worse.

[Tuerto]

Re: When is being skint ?

I agree with most of that, but what is your definition of 'real poverty'?

I have seen people and places (in south east Asia) where there is little or no state health or education support, where wages are a pittance and where the daily struggle is for food, water or heating/shelter. The same is true in many other parts of the world where subsistence farming has been destroyed by massive agri-businesses, in urban shanty towns and war zones. It is generally not true in Europe or North America - but that doesn't mean there is no poverty there.

The standard or definition for poverty does not have to mean starving to death. It is a social definition - one based on a society's view of what a minimum should look like in income, secure and safe housing, access to affordable food and basic services. In the UK there are hundreds of thousands (if not millions) who don't meet the minimum standard we set ourselves - often whilst working in 2 or 3 jobs and claiming benefits, living in insecure and/or damp housing, and through a postcode lottery excluded from some basic services. That is poverty. Those amongst us are not out downing shots in Cardiff city centre on a Saturday afternoon.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: When is being skint ?

I once went to a champagne bar and every there was drinking champagne! Don't tell me there is poverty in this country.

[Heathblue]

Re: When is being skint ?

I once went to a champagne bar and every there was drinking champagne! Don't tell me there is poverty in this country.

T.B.F TBG, your memoirs on here of your extensive carbon footprint gloriously detailing of your worldwide travels obviously unaware of the CO2 harm you were taking part in, Undoubtly you will have seen poverty on your travels, have you ever lived it ?

[Heathblue]

Re: When is being skint ?

I work in Ely A lot. Plenty of the properties i visit don't put their heating on in winter, don't have carpets. They're poor, the words '**** All' spring to mind. The kids Bedrooms are sparse and then there's all the other shit that goes with poverty, like social problems, lack of choice, no control, services that have been decimated due to cuts. All in all it's a horrible thing to witness. It's getting worse.

Circumstances caused by myself, we had to go through most of last winter without heating, without light's and with only one of the leccy socket circuits working, it was quite unpleasant and obviously hate to be like this permantly, have now sorted the heating, lights and the upstairs sockets now working, will finalise the the downstairs sockets during the holiday period which will release the next phase, this all started as we wanted to sort the lads Bedroom, now we are coming to the final improvements, he picks up the keys this week for the house he has taken a mortgage on but the positive is that we will definitely look to sell up once he is settled, I fancy one of the downstairs flats on the development just by the 3 arches bridge on the right hand side as you go down the hill, we will only need a smaller place to see us out to the box, else we will definitely move out of Cardiff.

[Maurice Swan]

Re: When is being skint ?

I work in Ely A lot. Plenty of the properties i visit don't put their heating on in winter, don't have carpets. They're poor, the words '**** All' spring to mind. The kids Bedrooms are sparse and then there's all the other shit that goes with poverty, like social problems, lack of choice, no control, services that have been decimated due to cuts. All in all it's a horrible thing to witness. It's getting worse.

The definition reads "Households are considered to be below the UK poverty line if their income is below 60% of the median household income after housing costs for that year."

There is no doubt that there is relative poverty in the UK...BUT for many it is also a lifestyle choice of priorities.
How many seemingly poverty stricken families have mobile phones.....Netflix....SKY Sports....smoke etc.?

I am fortunate that I COULD go out drinking if I wished, but it's not the norm here in France......I prefer to enjoy a few glass es of supermarket wine at he weekends. Besides which I am too stinky to pay €6-8 for 50cl lager....!

Like others, having travelled there is REAL poverty in many 'third world ' countries.

[lardy]

Re: When is being skint ?

The definition reads "Households are considered to be below the UK poverty line if their income is below 60% of the median household income after housing costs for that year."

There is no doubt that there is relative poverty in the UK...BUT for many it is also a lifestyle choice of priorities.
How many seemingly poverty stricken families have mobile phones.....Netflix....SKY Sports....smoke etc.?

I am fortunate that I COULD go out drinking if I wished, but it's not the norm here in France......I prefer to enjoy a few glass es of supermarket wine at he weekends. Besides which I am too stinky to pay €6-8 for 50cl lager....!

Like others, having travelled there is REAL poverty in many 'third world ' countries.

Just about every adult needs a mobile phone nowadays, and you don't have to spend much on them. How many families like this have sky sports? I doubt many do, but you can't tell just by looking or assuming. About 60% of UK households have netflix, way more than have sky sports (about 23%) but that leaves a lot who don't, many of whom could well be a "seemingly poverty stricken family". Again, can't tell by looking at them.

As for smoking, it's addictive. Lots would like to give it up but struggle, and I do see fewer smokers out and about than in years past.

It's a bit sad to think that if a family has access to technology and entertainment then they can't really be poor.

[Maurice Swan]

Re: When is being skint ?

Just about every adult needs a mobile phone nowadays, and you don't have to spend much on them. How many families like this have sky sports? I doubt many do, but you can't tell just by looking or assuming. About 60% of UK households have netflix, way more than have sky sports (about 23%) but that leaves a lot who don't, many of whom could well be a "seemingly poverty stricken family". Again, can't tell by looking at them.

As for smoking, it's addictive. Lots would like to give it up but struggle, and I do see fewer smokers out and about than in years past.

It's a bit sad to think that if a family has access to technology and entertainment then they can't really be poor.

Well....I for one does not have/use a mobile phone.....so ..60% have Netflix? I don't.....nor any other subscriptions.
Smoking....well if they prefer to do that than feed their family that is their choice isn't it?

...and NO it isn't sad that if they have to give up much of technology to not be poor...it is all relative...I never had technology when I was iup or early adult life...but did not consider myself poor..
Third world poverty is REAL...

[lardy]

Re: When is being skint ?

Well....I for one does not have/use a mobile phone.....so ..60% have Netflix? I don't.....nor any other subscriptions.
Smoking....well if they prefer to do that than feed their family that is their choice isn't it?

...and NO it isn't sad that if they have to give up much of technology to not be poor...it is all relative...I never had technology when I was iup or early adult life...but did not consider myself poor..
Third world poverty is REAL...

If you don't have a phone, don't have netflix, didn't have technology growing up in the 1950s, maybe you should run some courses and give everyone the chance to turn out as great as you have!

[Tuerto]

Re: When is being skint ?

Circumstances caused by myself, we had to go through most of last winter without heating, without light's and with only one of the leccy socket circuits working, it was quite unpleasant and obviously hate to be like this permantly, have now sorted the heating, lights and the upstairs sockets now working, will finalise the the downstairs sockets during the holiday period which will release the next phase, this all started as we wanted to sort the lads Bedroom, now we are coming to the final improvements, he picks up the keys this week for the house he has taken a mortgage on but the positive is that we will definitely look to sell up once he is settled, I fancy one of the downstairs flats on the development just by the 3 arches bridge on the right hand side as you go down the hill, we will only need a smaller place to see us out to the box, else we will definitely move out of Cardiff.

I can't see you in one of those flats mate, you're way too young for that nonsense And there would be all the politics, residents committee etc, and they'd ban you from playing the guitar, **** that.... And they're all probably members of the Birchgrove Pub Friday club....Ahem......

[Maurice Swan]

Re: When is being skint ?

If you don't have a phone, don't have netflix, didn't have technology growing up in the 1950s, maybe you should run some courses and give everyone the chance to turn out as great as you have!

Good idea....I graduated with a degree in Computer Programming....coming from a poor background...two up two down...no shower/bath except the tin bath on a Friday night that used to hang behind outside toilet that froze in winter...potty under the bed..... I don't need any lectures about 'not having...'

[Heathblue]

Re: When is being skint ?

I can't see you in one of those flats mate, you're way too young for that nonsense And there would be all the politics, residents committee etc, and they'd ban you from playing the guitar, **** that.... And they're all probably members of the Birchgrove Pub Friday club....Ahem......

Just give me 10 mins with the old deers and the ideology of Q, I'd have them onside and fighting against the system and refusing any more jabs 😂

[Dorcus]

Re: When is being skint ?

Good idea....I graduated with a degree in Computer Programming....coming from a poor background...two up two down...no shower/bath except the tin bath on a Friday night that used to hang behind outside toilet that froze in winter...potty under the bed..... I don't need any lectures about 'not having...'

But remember Mo you are one of life's lucky ones. Despite your background you obviously had the wherewithal to achieve a degree and I dare say you were not plagued by the blight of mental illness.

Many many more people do not have the capacity to be awarded high paying jobs and their humble abilities make them suitable for low paid, gruelling, soulless jobs little better than serfdom. Many others have had their lives wrecked by mental illness and personal misfortune. You were obviously lucky you were in control of your destiny.

[Eric Cartman]

Re: When is being skint ?

Good idea....I graduated with a degree in Computer Programming....coming from a poor background...two up two down...no shower/bath except the tin bath on a Friday night that used to hang behind outside toilet that froze in winter...potty under the bed..... I don't need any lectures about 'not having...'

Paid off all your student loan yet?