November 26th, 2021.
I have seen a couple of comments from readers suggesting that they may be looking at returning to the UK and asking what things are like over here.
Well, I will start with a caveat and state that I am not an immigration advisor and nothing I write below should be construed as offering advice. It is my personal view on what I see is happening in the UK.
Where to start? Well, violent crime is escalating. 34 days ago an 18-year-old girl walked 200 yards from her home to a bus stop to enjoy a night out in Plymouth. Note the time: 6.30pm! Yesterday police arrested a 24-year-old band member – not an immigrant or a jihadist, but an “ordinary” member of the public.
Yesterday, a 12-year-old girl was murdered in the centre of Liverpool as she and a group of friends watched the turning on of the city lights. After an altercation, she suffered horrific injuries and succumbed to them. Police have arrested 4 youngsters and charged them with murder. They were one 13-year-old, two 14-year-olds and a 15-year-old.
A 13-year-old boy was shot in the back in the centre of Birmingham on Friday evening. Police are still looking for his assailant(s).
Following the murder by stabbing and shooting of a 15-year-old youth in Birmingham in January, his assailants were found guilty this month. The convicted youths were two 18-year-olds, a 16-year-old, and a 14-year-old. I could go on in a similar vein, but I would run out of space. Violent crime is just getting worse.
Economically, the country is on the brink with the budget deficit due to reach £100 billion this year. There are regular shortages in the supermarkets as the supply chains run into difficulties due to a lack of lorry drivers. Petrol is costing an average of £1.43 a litre when in January it was £1.07. Inflation is now running at 3.1%, with some sources forecasting it reaching 6 % next year unless interest rates are lifted.
House inflation is out of control as many in the southeast are buying second homes. In the west country houses have risen by 23% this last year, pricing locals out of the market. Rental property is decreasing as landlords are cashing up. In Cornwall, there are huge staff shortages in the NHS and potential recruits are turning down job offers because they can’t find anywhere to live.
The UK tax take has risen from 25.2% of GDP in December 2020 to 31.2% in September and is forecast to reach 35% by 2022. This is the highest since the 1960s. Boris Johnson is in constant conflict with his chancellor as his green policies kick in and government spending is almost out of control.
Household energy bills have gone through the roof, with gas increasing by 28.1% in the year to October and electricity rising by 18.8%.
Hospital waiting lists are now up to 4 or 5 million on the waiting list for procedures. I have my annual checkup on Tuesday, 2 months late because the GP didn’t have phials for blood tests (supply issues). Most consultations are still online, with face-to-face consultations at a minimum.
There is a crisis in care homes with staff in short supply and people leaving the industry because they refuse to be vaccinated. Resources in the care industry are sorely stretched.
Still, at least we can go to football and other sporting events. Although the government are panicking about the latest Covid variant and having promised a merry Christmas for everyone, look as though they are being bounced into a lockdown next month and the reimposition of strict controls regarding masks etc.
If all this sounds depressing it is, but mostly because of the mind-numbing lack of common sense and a defined strategy that doesn’t involve flying by the seat of their pants. I would take the dog out for a walk and get the frustration out of my system, except it is -2C, we have had 60mph winds and snow is on the way.
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