It’s a strange idea that so many people can be weary and critical of reports of a growing economy, but when this Tory-led government is spinning this small growth as a great success, created by them; there are many reasons to question it. Other countries that suffered the same crisis as Britain such as Japan (4%), USA (2.4%) have all seen much higher growth consistently since around 2010. Even Germany that has reportedly “slumped” from 1.9% to now equal our 0.6% growth is devastated at this small figure. The Office of National Statistics reminded us that our economy should be 3.3% higher than it is right now, highlighting the fact that this is the slowest ever economic recovery. Although it now seems to be finally speeding up, we are still spending £245 billion more over this parliament than even the Tories predicted. At what cost is this news? Homelessness is at a record high; charities providing shelter have had twice the amount of people turning up each day in just two years. Living standards have fallen sharply to the lowest level for over ten years. Over half a million people are now reliant on food banks – an increase of over 300% for many charities providing them. A recent poll revealed that over 20% of families now borrow money to eat every month as a result of inflation being higher than pay rises. The list of bad news goes on and on. But surely this is because there are so many people that are lazy and refuse to work? Considering most people living in poverty are in a working household, that can’t be the cause. Unemployment is at nearly the same level as it was in 2009, mid-recession. And youth unemployment is at a record high of over 20%. All of this hardship, and only a growth of 0.6%? If anyone is rejoicing at this news, it surely isn’t the working people. The economy could grow by an incredible 3000% in the next year, and the only people benefiting would be those at the top. There would still be some reason for the Tories to keep on cutting away at vital services for the vulnerable. The recession is the perfect opportunity for the Tories to cut the services they ideologically disagree with: “the money is gone”, they tell us. “We have nothing left for public services, we’re bankrupt”. Yet there is still enough left for MPs to have a 10% pay rise, Thatcher’s funeral, the Monarchy, Trident, arms and support being sent to Syria – the list goes on. What about welfare for people who’ve lost their jobs? No, we’re bankrupt. Funding for the NHS? No, we have nothing left. £1.1 billion of the NHS has to be sold off time and again to Virgin and other greedy corporations. The same private companies, ironically enough, that can’t even run the privatised railways without public grants to make them profitable. However, this news is a great thing for the Tory government – Labour were already struggling to hold on to a decent lead in the polls even with the weak economy, so now it’s finally growing, their so called position as an ‘alternative’ to the Tory austerity plans are even weaker than before. So forgive us if we don’t break out the Dom Perignon and caviar with you quite yet, George.
Posted on: Sat, 31 Aug 2013 08:52:33 +0000
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