Money is only funny, in a rich man’s world
Taken from the Impartial Reporter, 1st May 2008
Money is only funny, in a rich man’s world
e-mail: rodney@rodneyedwards.co.uk
For the majority of us not lucky enough to have millions in the bank; money is something that we must borrow. And for the last ten years, more and more of us have notched up a sickening amount of debt.
Last week, the Archbishop of Canterbury slammed schools and colleges for their lack of financial education – which is a fare point. For years, many student loans have been handed out left, right and centre to teenage layabouts that end up spending the cash; drinking their body weight in Barcardi Breezers of an evening. It never seems logic to hand out thousands to those that can barely work a calculator, but it’s all, apparently, in a bid to boost their education as they go of and study something prolific. Before coming back six months later with debt coming out of their ears, a massive hangover and an application form for the local supermarket. It’s the same old story, year in, year out.
Some students make a go of it and the loans are a lifeline, a helpful hand to furthering their career. But the majority mess it up and borrow more and more, with no regard for the real cost of meeting their aspirations. It’s not just teenagers or twenty-somethings that have money worries; between the rise in fuel, food and home prices; everyone, it would appear, is in the same boat. Add credit card bills, overdrafts and mortgage repayments to that mix, and you have a recipe for a mighty lasting headache.
Take the ever publicised “rise in property prices” for example. It turns the notion of buying a home into nothing more than a childhood dream. Well, for those of us who aren’t multi-millionaires or gangsters, anyway. It’s a somewhat difficult process for everyone else and means years of sleepless nights and microwavable dinners. A colleague of mine recently told me that he heard Fermanagh house prices have been compared to house prices in Dublin. It’s quite flattering to think, that us local folk are situated in such a property goldmine but quite daunting that for most of us, it means if it’s not a shed, then it’s probably out of our price range.
When Labour came into power 11 years ago, they promised to eradicate child poverty but the gap between the rich and the poor has never been so wide. Thousands are claiming child benefit, the dole and disability allowance. Most of them are entitled to it – but let’s not beat around the bush, a lot of these people are sponging off the tax-paying public and sitting on their backsides. How many times have you spotted a good-for-nothing slacker in Enniskillen and ridiculed that person, mentally, for making you work so they can be kept clothed in traky bottoms and medallions? It’s absurd.
Britain now owes over one and a half trillion pounds; making it one of the most debt-ridden countries on the face of the earth, a shocking fact. And sooner or later, we could be preparing for a complete financial meltdown. Before that happens, perhaps I could use this opportunity to ask the great Sean Quinn if he’d be kind enough to give me a few quid? A million should do, I’m not fussy. There’s a caravan in Portrush with my name on it.
Rodney Edwards presents the Bigger Breakfast Show 7-11am, Mon-Fri on Vibe FM 105.3FM.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Recently in the news and media their has been a lot of talk about ending child poverty, getting people into work and reforming incapacity benefits. In this world not everyone has the same opportunity or is born into the best of circumstances. Disabled people and those with genuine long term health problems and even the unemployed often want to work and earn a living to at least provide some support for themselves however sadly, because of rules produced by a government of people who really don’t seem to know what is happening at the cutting edge, work even part time work for these people is extremely difficult to achieve. Employers often do not want to give people a chance as many do not understand about disabilities or don’t want to risk giving opportunity to anyone from a difficult background for fear of things not working out . Disabled people and those who have been sick not only have the added pressure of health problems they are also faced with archaic benefit rules that only allow them to earn £20 per week before housing benefits are affected and the spectre of homelessness looms. When there is any change in circumstances the official paperwork that has to be completed is overwhelming and decision makers are too slow making any payments. This leaves housing costs unpaid. Landlords who must pay a mortgage or need the money cannot wait. Very often disabled people and the unemployed have no savings what so ever and cannot cover expenses to carry them through intermittent periods of financial change caused by part time or irregular work often the only jobs on available .This therefore makes it difficult for them to get out of the poverty trap. Some say get the money from relatives or borrow from the bank it is a fact that to be able to borrow money one must be able to show one can pay back or may have a prospect of being able to pay back. Many people do not have relatives who are able to help them out as people live longer and need more support themselves often parents and other relatives cannot manage to help out. Life on benefits is not a “high life” it is not a “cushy number” as some people think it is a bare living the rates of benefit are supposed to increase with inflation but in recent months inflation has gone through the roof and benefit increases can barely match this increases are only made once a year. Even if one is receiving the highest levels of benefit due to severe disability it is still very difficult to meet basic needs such as winter fuel only the over 65s get help with this whilst the sick have to try and cover all this cost from very little and often their health deteriorates during cold weather. I believe this leads to more hospital admissions and more expense for the taxpayer. At this time of credit crunch, and frequent oil price increases, even basic food items are becoming unaffordable for many. Healthy food and meat are very quickly becoming a luxury and many are forced to buy cheaper junk foods. There is talk about spongers and yes I would agree that there is probably a small number of people who have let some degree of laziness creep in but this does not apply to the majority of people who find themselves unwell or in difficult circumstances and must rely on support from the social welfare system. I believe that the welfare system does need an overhaul but what really is needed is a support package designed to support the vulnerable in society as much as they need to improve there circumstances and to be able to use the abilities they do have to enable a productive life enabling them to contribute to society. Only when a person is able to support themselves and any dependents at a reasonable level according to their needs should support be withdrawn gradually to enable them to become self sufficient. Fermanagh people have the added difficulty of the rural location and infrequent public transport in many places. Many people who are unemployed or need benefit cannot afford to run a car or get driving lessons. This further hampers them from getting work. The government takes at least 50p per litre in fuel duties from the cost of fuel and this amount increases the more oil prices go up. Recently I signed a petition against this on the 10 Downing Street website. I received an email reply stating that there was no intention to decrease fuel duties as this was in line with the government’s current environmental policies. If the government wants to protect the environment why are they not using the billions they must be raking in to provide better public transport? Everyone should also be entitled to an education and be given a chance in particular those who have not had opportunity before due to difficult circumstances they should get the opportunity of being able to better themselves or make up for lost time and so be able to make a greater contribution to society. Some students do waste the opportunity that is given to them and I feel these students also hold back the workers to a certain extent. I feel that educational establishments should have stricter discipline regarding behaviour, attendance and work expectations and should have the power to reduce student allowances where necessary or expel those that are not willing to make an effort in order to bring back into line the slackers so that those who want to work can.
Phil Franco, Ballinamallard