Quote Originally Posted by Maurice Swan View Post
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.