“He stole from the rich and gave to the poor…”
We all grew up with stories and fables that taught us lessons or inspired us to make morally good choices. The legend of Robin Hood though somewhat skewed this. Here we are given in every essence an outlaw, a thief and yet he is redeemed all because what he steals from the wealthy, he gives to the poor – slightly encouraging rioting in my mind but hey ho!
But I digress and let’s get to the point at hand! This past week, for reasons I am sure you’ll be aware of, I have been fascinated looking at the distribution of wealth in the UK and the blatant class system that still exists. Today, in 2022 as a nation we have 4.3 million children living in property and 2.1 million pensioners in poverty (1.1 million of whom are in severe poverty).
I know many of you see figures and struggle to make the connection that these figures represent human lives. These are neighbours, co-workers, friends, and family! These are 5-year-olds unable to have a hot shower or bath before school because they’re parents ran out of credit on the meter. These are elderly people who must choose at the age of 80 between having a hot meal or turning on their heating.
To highlight how bad it can be, I’ll tell you a true story! The fire brigade once had to report safety concerns for an 87-year-old man living just outside of Glasgow, who used a free-standing portable gas heater (with gas canister) to heat his property. He would then turn it on its side to heat his tin of beans - you read this correctly, the gas canister would be placed on its side to heat beans! His pension couldn’t cover the bills and so he resorted to these highly dangerous ways to survive.
Now as a society I know many individuals often demonise those in poverty, brushing off the struggles of the poor as their own fault and in doing so they completely ignore their own privilege. The reality is that we live in a society where those born into poverty or end up there, have very little opportunities to get out of it.
When you hear…
“They should get out and work” remember it is being said to the 19-year-old who is third generation out of work, with minimum education and never told she can accomplish anything. Constantly told by her family and the people around her that benefits are the best she can do.
When you hear…
“They should get out and work” remember it is being said to the 54-year-old tradesmen whose body can’t keep up with physical labour and who is struggling to learn a new skill. Who’s private pension had to be cashed in early a few years ago when the economy sunk and he had to keep his family safe. And who now is relying on a state pension that is being pushed further and further away.
When you hear…
“They should get out and work” remember it is being said to the single mum of three who applies daily for jobs but is deemed inflexible enough for any high income role. Instead she is only offered minimum wage which is less money than being on benefit as it results in child care care costs and means she’d have to reduce essential purchases such as food and energy.
The cycle of poverty is not one designed to allow people to easily escape it. Yes, the odd success story does shine through, but the sad truth is most people born into poverty will never escape it without major societal change.
And then you have the people who fall on hard times, who lived comfortable working-class lives until a relationship broke down, a mental health break or even a bad investment. And as they struggle to understand their new lifestyle, they can’t quite get their heads around what they need to do now. I have sat with clients whose life went from homeowners with nice cars, to living in a homeless B&B and washing their clothes in a sink. Many struggle because they never believed it could happen to them.
The world today is like this beyond the class systems of the UK, I know that. It can just be more noticeable in this country when you see unelected individuals sit on a literal golden thrown and talk about the challenges of the energy crisis that ‘we will all be feeling and struggling with’ *CONFUSED FACE*
It hits home more with moments like the other day, as I sat after speaking to a client in tears because they hadn’t been eating so they could feed their kids and sort out new clothes for them. Then at night, I turned on The Kardashians (you can judge me for this – I love trash telly!) only to witness them practically giddy to go to a supermarket and not have a clue how to use their credit card because they never have to do “normal things”. It kind of felt like the show became about rich people doing poor people things… it was very unsettling that pretending to be like us commoners was entertainment to them.
Ahhh dear reader, I know this hasn’t been a happy one! I simply sit baffled how those in power can authorise millions to a family who are already some of the wealthiest in the land and have enough generational wealth that even their children could retire before the legal working age. And yet for those on the lowest income, we witness benefit cuts, higher rates on interest and the minimum wage still not meeting the living wage despite the ever-increasing cost of bills.
I know we are all feeling the financial crunch right now, I know a lot of us are seeing our energy prices soar and the cost to fill our tanks make us question if it's worth leaving the house! But if you are going to bed tonight with food in your belly, in a warm secure home and know tomorrow will be the same then you are far luckier than so many right now.
I’m afraid I don’t have the answers here, I wish I did but here are a few simple recommendations…
Be Kind
Stop judging people in poverty, if you haven’t walked in their shoes, you have no idea.
Fun Example: Imagine the Daily Mail headline of “Mother of four uses taxpayers’ money and throws a massive party” … just think about how this scenario is fine for the queen but you’d villainize someone along the street from you - we need to stop being so cruel to one another.
Vote
We underestimate the power of voting and often do so with our own interests at heart – but wouldn’t it be nice if we voted and focused on the community as a whole and how everyone could benefit? Next time you head to the ballot box have a serious look at how the party or person treats those struggling most.
Don’t Give Up
If you are struggling, please know there are so many of us out there who want to help. Many of us, who will fight for a fairer society and in the interim we will give what we can to help. You are not alone - reach out!
Additional Note:
After writing this blog piece I happened to be in the vicinity of BBC Radio 2 and heard a discussion on the energy and poverty crisis. A woman spoke about walking for hours and queuing for hours at numerous pawn shops until she could cash her council tax rebate cheque. She opted to goto a pawn shop as although she’d lose a percentage it ensured her and her neighbour could get their electricity back on and food for the night without waiting five days for the bank to clear the cheque.
I feel my point in this blog was proven when a listener messaged in and in reply to this heart breaking story chose to belittle the woman, stating she shouldn’t take cash as you would waste it on non essentials, that a pawn broker was madness and ultimately she should have waited the five days. I am sure from this man's high horse he was on, he has never known what five days without power was like. Never known five days without buying food or being able to cook it and watching whatever you had frozen defrost and goto waste. I wonder if he’d take the challenge and see how he’d cope?
So following this I’d like to amend my above statement, and add one more recommendation for those who struggle to simply be kind… SHUT THE FUCK UP AND SIT THE FUCK DOWN! You don’t get to judge people because you are not in their position and if you can’t comprehend that level of living then it’s time to stop talking and LISTEN. Listen to what the people who are dealing with this are trying to tell you - it really is this bad and they are not exaggerating.
If you can’t be kind… be quiet!
Remember if you need to talk, we are here. Just drop us an email at info@trashpandahq.com
You Are Not Alone
