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Perception of poverty and persecution

(59 Posts)
Gracesgran Mon 07-Sept-15 09:14:47

It has occurred to me recently that people perception of these is changing.

The first one - the perception of poverty - came up when, amongst my group of friends (all pensioners). One, whom we know has the lowest income of all of us and receives some pensioner benefits, changed her car. I was surprised when an admittedly right wing friend was horrified and immediately asked "how did she do that?", as if she had broken some rule which declared her not to be poor enough. What is poor enough to be poor? Should someone be destitute before they get benefits? I have a strong feeling this friend would think they should.

The second - perception of persecution - came from the fact that asylum should be given to people fleeing persecution. From reading posts on here and elsewhere (more elsewhere it must be said) people cannot comprehend that those currently fleeing Syria might be middle-class, educated and either have money or the ability to borrow it. Again, must refugees be destitute before they are given asylum?

You will probably realise that I don't believe you have to reach destitution in either case to fulfil either the criteria of the insurance pledge for benefits or the safety pledge nations have always made to the persecuted but it does appear that some do. Perhaps there is a convincing argument for this.

trisher Wed 09-Sept-15 10:22:03

How did a debate about poverty get to the super-rich and well off. Of course the children of rich families will always do better. Why or how is irrelevant. The poorest in society are not necessarily the badly educated or the ignorant. I recently watched a programme about homelessness and what struck me was how events set someone on the downward spiral and regardless of what they had been they became homeless. Supporting these vulnerable people and giving the weakest a decent lifestyle should be the mark of a civilised society.

Gracesgran Wed 09-Sept-15 10:26:50

It happens so often trisher. Perhaps those wishing to discuss it would like to start a new thread - does anyone ever do that when a thread goes off theme? I wish they would because the subject is interesting to discuss in its own right - it just have nothing to do with the perception of poverty or persecution which are also important sad

Gracesgran Wed 09-Sept-15 13:06:18

Interesting to see in the National Pensioner's Campaign's latest bulletin is rooting for a living pension. They are suggesting a basic pension of 70% of the living wage (outside London) which would give a full pension of £10,000 rather than the current full pension of £6029 a year.

It points out that the current pension is 36th out of 37 OECD countries.

durhamjen Wed 09-Sept-15 19:01:04

www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2015/09/09/how-immigration-policy-brutalises-british-children

An interesting article about families with a British parent, as well as other immigrants, and how they have been treated since 2012.
It's to do with poverty as well.

Gracesgran Wed 09-Sept-15 20:23:16

Separating families - isn't that what they did when people went into the workhouse.

They were talking about this on, I think, Today Jen.

durhamjen Wed 09-Sept-15 22:51:55

A report on poverty in the EU by Oxfam.

www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2015/09/09/poverty-in-the-eu-is-not-an-issue-of-scarcity-it-is-an-issue-of-sharing/

There's a link to the actual report in the article.

Yes, Gracesgran, it sounded like the workhouse to me, but Yarl's Wood is even worse.
I was going to say that at least in the workhouse they were in the same country, but I do not think that mattered, as you could not see over the high walls into each others' exercise yards.

Gracesgran Thu 10-Sept-15 20:30:07

The report follows on what Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson were saying in the Spirit Level doesn't it Jen.

The title "Poverty in the EU is not an issue of scarcity, it is an issue of sharing" could very much apply to this country except I would head one on the UK "It's not an issue of austerity, it is an issue of sharing". I cannot believe people are still having the wool pulled over their eyes re austerity but I suppose we all draw different conclusions.

durhamjen Sat 12-Sept-15 19:14:04

I have just seen an article about Fergus Wilson in Kent. He is the man who bought loads of buy to let and was going to sell last year.
He couldn't find anyone to buy his portfolio, but now he is renting out to East European migrants, putting the rents up from £900 to £1200.
He is giving all the people who are paying £900 a section 13 notice to quit or pay the higher rent.
This should be illegal.