Times are hard out there...Really?

Derivative · 11 April 2011 at 9:59PM

diable wrote: »

You are really putting Hull down and it's people, is it really that bad?

I do not intend to offend, if it seems that way. It is depressing to see people let down here.

We stand at third from the bottom nationally on GCSE results with 20% of kids leaving with 5 A*-C. Most people leave school not even knowing what's out there in terms of University education - the choice is closed off to them through lack of support. I have to emphasise just how low that bar is - there are schools out there nationally in which every single child gets their 5 and more. Some London districts stand at 60%+ including state schools.

Unemployment here was 14.5% in 2008, in all probability higher now.
20% have no qualifications to speak of.

Lack of education doesn't just result in lower job prospects. It closes doors because to the individual they don't even exist. When you're young and everyone around you works in a very narrow range of careers or are otherwise on government support, it closes your eyes to all the other careers out there.

The mindset people get into, and I can completely understand it if you're unwilling to move for greater prospects, is that it's not worth bothering because there's nothing here to aim for.

You have to also remember this is a generational thing. Parents instill their values onto their kids - there is a link between parental income and childrens' future prospects. Mostly due to, again, education. Knowledge that is passed down.

dopester · 12 April 2011 at 1:10AM

fc123 wrote: »

I don't think it recovered from the 80's but I have never been up there.
I go to Stockport sometimes and it's just like my local London suburb but with nice old mills converted into luxe flats.

Luxe flats? I can't picture that fc, and I know Stockport pretty well, but haven't monitored all the mills.

A bit of research and I see at least 2 mills were developed for apartments in 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mills_in_Stockport

The last mill in Stockport I went into was a few years back; Pear Mill. Adidas had/have an outlet store in there, but the real bargains are in the staff store, not so easy to get a pass into, in the Adidas UK HQ at Hazel Grove, Stockport. Not that I wear much sportswear but got some smart Adidas tennis gear in there a few years back at a fraction of retail price.

Stockport and its textile industry is most famous for hats; origin of "As Mad as a Hatter", as I suspect you already know (chemicals in the process supposedly turning workers a bit crazy).

The_Fox_3 · 12 April 2011 at 7:41AM

Nikkster wrote: »

I'm confused - I though iandury asked the question??:huh:

Just rushing, "I am" is now "he is", no conspiracy

blueboy43 · 12 April 2011 at 9:02AM

fc123 wrote: »

I find Conrads observations interesting esp Essex as it wasn't on my radar before but is more so now due to a work link.
Hidden income is everywhere esp for those who own a small biz with cash.

My old dad is deaf so OH had to book him a skip. Quote was £175 + VAT then she said quite bluntly it could be £165 if he paid cash to the driver. I don't know which option he took but the offer seemed a normal part of the bookinmg process.

In Brighton I was always quite mystified about how 'wealthy' people were.....huge houses, plenty to spend and the retired types in the street I lived wanted for very little.

I always wonder how big the cash /black economy really is in percentage terms.....does anyone reckon 40%?

Much less than 40%.

However there are some businesses which are fairly notorious for tax evasion / being paid in cash.

Skip hire / scrap metal / scaffolding are 3 that come to mind.

Then there are the whole range of self employed who will put most through the books but keep say 20% cash.

For the whole of the economy its between 6 and 8%

Good to see your trading so well.:)

ellanutella · 12 April 2011 at 6:33PM

Some people are hit harder than others. Take my family for example, I'm a 2010 graduate with a good degree and 7 years work experience and can't get a job for love nor money. We moved from the South West to the North West when my temporary job ended, my partner had a good job but we had lived in a bedsit for 9 months and it was getting stressful and we couldn't afford a bigger place where we lived. Opp north we now live in a 3 bed house for less rent than the bedsit but can't find work. My dad is self-employed Chartered Surveyor who now makes more money with his part-time gardening business. Both my partners parents where made redundant around December 2010. Her mum has gone on to get a better position, her dad is still looking for work. In hindsight moving opp north wasn't a financially savvy option, but at the time the pros outweighed the cons. This time last year I barely knew there was a recession, now I definitely know about it!

fc123 · 12 April 2011 at 9:50PM

blueboy43 wrote: »

Much less than 40%.

However there are some businesses which are fairly notorious for tax evasion / being paid in cash.

Skip hire / scrap metal / scaffolding are 3 that come to mind.

Then there are the whole range of self employed who will put most through the books but keep say 20% cash.

For the whole of the economy its between 6 and 8%

Good to see your trading so well.:)

...thanks...we got a bit lucky, a few breaks and ran with them (though a bit out of breath at the mo as it all went mad recently)..... And not a single penny in cash either....all bank transfer/Paypal/Card and so on.:) In fact, I never seem to touch money at all now.

I love the export due to no VAT and some quarters we manage a refund...which is heaven.

6 - 8% is a lot of cash floating around....that then gets spent (esp near where Conrad lives).

Son was chatting to me about the a Keiser report (sp) on how money laundering contributed to the banking meltdown....when they withdrew billions of it.......just tried to google and can only find a YT that won't play. Don't know if he's a nutter or eminent researcher as I haven't got the time at this mo to read more of his work.

http://www.goldstockbull.com/articles/crisis-over/

fc123 · 12 April 2011 at 9:51PM

ellanutella wrote: »

Some people are hit harder than others. Take my family for example, I'm a 2010 graduate with a good degree and 7 years work experience and can't get a job for love nor money. We moved from the South West to the North West when my temporary job ended, my partner had a good job but we had lived in a bedsit for 9 months and it was getting stressful and we couldn't afford a bigger place where we lived.

Opp north we now live in a 3 bed house for less rent than the bedsit but can't find work. My dad is self-employed Chartered Surveyor who now makes more money with his part-time gardening business. Both my partners parents where made redundant around December 2010. Her mum has gone on to get a better position, her dad is still looking for work.

In hindsight moving opp north wasn't a financially savvy option, but at the time the pros outweighed the cons. This time last year I barely knew there was a recession, now I definitely know about it!

Would you move back down south if the work prospects don't improve?

ellanutella · 13 April 2011 at 9:10AM

fc123 wrote: »

Would you move back down south if the work prospects don't improve?

The plan was to move up north to save money and then move back down south in about two years so yes we'd definitely move back if the job prospects don't get any better. But there's no way I'd move without both of us having jobs lined up down there. We've inherited too much furniture to move back into a bedsit and there's no way we could afford anywhere bigger without good permanent jobs. It's a shame because the north west is where I'm from and I was really excited about moving back for a bit.

ninky_2 · 13 April 2011 at 9:59AM

fc123 wrote: »

Would you move back down south if the work prospects don't improve?

the property prices / rents often stop this.

our friend is having a similar issue. moved up north a few years ago and raved about how he could afford a house up there and there was loads of work. now the work has dried up and he's lost his place on the london property ladder. after visiting us and seeing london buzzing with busy restaurants plus a visit to outlying countryside his exact words this weekend were "i made a big mistake".