Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
#34
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Well you raise an interesting point.
Sure, high street shops close down. Why wouldn't they, since there are shopping centres and big box stores out of town. I like to see small independent stores on the high street when I return to England, but I shop in the out of town shopping centres like everyone else. Time marches on in the UK, even while we live abroad for years or decades ... that's a sign the old place is still alive and kicking! And, the fact that new immigrants want to come is also a sign that Britain is in good nick!
Sure, high street shops close down. Why wouldn't they, since there are shopping centres and big box stores out of town. I like to see small independent stores on the high street when I return to England, but I shop in the out of town shopping centres like everyone else. Time marches on in the UK, even while we live abroad for years or decades ... that's a sign the old place is still alive and kicking! And, the fact that new immigrants want to come is also a sign that Britain is in good nick!
Agree about UK immigration being a good sign. Too bad that there is such a negative attitude towards it.
#35
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
The UK unemployment rate as of June 2013 was 7.8%, and the Australian unemployment rate as of July 2013 was 5.7%, so the UK rate is substantially higher (over a third higher). Having said that UK unemployment is trending down, and Australian unemployment is trending up, so they may converge at some point.
#36
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
The UK unemployment rate as of June 2013 was 7.8%, and the Australian unemployment rate as of July 2013 was 5.7%, so the UK rate is substantially higher (over a third higher). Having said that UK unemployment is trending down, and Australian unemployment is trending up, so they may converge at some point.
I saw at first hand how rubbery these figures are. A veteran of the dept told me that the whole game play was to ensure a low % rate of unemployment for the Gov to release to the media, irrespective of whether it was true or not.
I was told to keep head down and bum up. I walked, because at that stage I was able to. It was an utter farce.
#37
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Exactly but people believe it. Round the figures up, in Australia OFFICIALLY 6 out of 100 are unemployed, in the UK it is 8 out of 100. The difference is marginal but in one country you will be told there is plenty of work and in the other there is no work, neither is right.
#38
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Exactly but people believe it. Round the figures up, in Australia OFFICIALLY 6 out of 100 are unemployed, in the UK it is 8 out of 100. The difference is marginal but in one country you will be told there is plenty of work and in the other there is no work, neither is right.
#39
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Yes exactly right, the area we lived had a rate of 9% but where we are now it is under 6%. Both countries have areas of high and low unemployment but overall the rate is comparable and that is the important thing to remember for those making the move back.
#40
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
There's an awful lot more beaurocratic nonsense here though
#42
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Exactly but people believe it. Round the figures up, in Australia OFFICIALLY 6 out of 100 are unemployed, in the UK it is 8 out of 100. The difference is marginal but in one country you will be told there is plenty of work and in the other there is no work, neither is right.
#43
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Yep, both are too high but the difference is marginal.
#44
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
#45
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
...says he who recently started a thread entitled "Home ownership for many in the UK a distant dream" - based on an article that had appeared in the Daily Mail.