uk+kiwi

Paul - I would think so. £100 donation would cover 10% (c.7 parcels) of the food parcels distributed last year! Sterling goes a long way for things like this.

Heartbreaking article, I'm going down next week and am going to try to seek out Delta to do a donation for food parcels for this Xmas. Livewire - is there a similar thing in operation on the Shore - I'll be there a week today.

tottefan

If they have 6 kids, then any poverty will be their own fault anyway. If they are so poor why even think about having more children - it would be impractical, selfish etc. Obviously if it was that bad they wouldn't.

Exactly how I'd measure it.

What you also forget is that parents play arguably the most important role in education as well. There is extensive evidence to suggest that parents who educate their children from an early age (i.e. read to them) tend to produce the brightest kids. As most kids in dodgy/poorer areas tend to have parents who are less willing to encourage education, they generally have less chance of doing well in later life.

I always think of where my nan used to live in the East-End of London. It used to have quite good schools. The schools now are generally rubbish though - but then a lot of the schools are plagued by poor discipline and uninterested students. Their parents are often even worse!!!!

Of course, NZ is a bit different in this respect; a lot of the poorer NZers are Maoris. Their situation is not their fault. I, therefore, have a lot more sympathy for their situation.


tottefan.

uk+kiwi

Good post. You have made some valid points in this which I agree with personally but also which read well.

Thought I'd mention it particularly in view of some possibly more naive/controversial comments posted earlier which did get jumped on pretty quickly by those whose emotions it stirred! Carmen.

Lenmil

Bloody hell i was expected to keep a wife and 2 kids on $35K.

bosshog

Well said...and at last a positive posting. It's all about how you chose to live...some people still struggle in the UK, mind you they are whacked to the limit on the credit cards so they can change their two cars every six months!!

I know I live on an estate like that, anyone seen stepford wives???

auldduck

That's really pushing it, after tax you won't be very well off.

However, there are quite a few tax credits/ child support subsidies for the low paid which would help a lot.

cheers - Quackers

Batty

I always think (in relation to Western countries) that the poorest people, the ones who actually have the most trouble making ends meet, are those who are 'just' above the limit whereby they could get Government assistance. Those on benefit and really low wages can get lots of subsidies for this and that but if you're in a situation where you might be, say, $5 OVER the limit??? $5 isn't going to buy you much but if you didn't have it you'd get hundreds if not thousands extra every year. This happened to my parents when we were young. 5 pounds a week meant they lost out on a winter fuel allowance, subsidised school books for us, school uniforms, medical card etc.etc.etc. They weren't poor on paper but in reality they were skint

scottish

Auldduck you remind me of a very wise old poster from yester years who used to live in Dunedin.. I wonder if I am right.

Now, pls dont be offended anyone but have to get this off my chest. If you move to a country forearmed with the info you know re wages etc do you really want to rely on state handouts to get by. Is the move that important.

Some long term posters found out to their pearl the cost of living v wages argumement and through no fault of their own know have to apply for state handouts but some of you guys coming out here know the script and surely you dont want to think "im all right jack as I can apply for state assistance".

tottefan

I can identify with that completely. We have to survive on my dad's wage which is around £21,000 a year. This has to cover a fairly large mortgage, food and clothes for 5 adults. It's weird because I've never felt hard done by, even though we didn't have any holidays abroad last year (spent a weekend in the uk).

In my experience, people on benefits are quite well-off financially. My cousin is a single mum without a job and what comes in her house is shocking.


tottefan.

scottish

For a living i have to assist families apply for HB and also chase up unpaid rent. The other day I worked out and I&E and the girl got £300 a week in benefits not inc HB. My gob hit the floor so quick even she seen it haha. But on the other hand I deal with old biddies struggling and not once are they ever late in paying rent.

tottefan

That's cos Brits over 70/75 are from a different, more self-sufficient and less materialistic generation than most people born since the Second World War.

Can you imagine what will happen in, say, 30/40 years time in Britain, when all the younger people are old and need financial assistance. Instead of getting on with things and enduring their hardships, most will probably think 'sod you', I've got to have that even if the government has to pay for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


tottefan.

turkeytickler

you think the UK is car mad??? you've seen nothing yet!

turkeytickler

thats because the cost of living in the UK is lower.

BEVS

I have already made that point quite clear Elizabth C. The debate is interesting. My emotions aren't driving my interest.
My focus ,though ,is on New Zealand. That is where we live . Its issues are our issues.

Poverty[ UK,NZ,USA,Europe etc] is measured as having to survive on half the median wage.

BEVS

?? Rubbish. Sorry I have got to say this. Utter Rubbish.
What age are you TotteFan please ?