“I lost my job last year…on this money I just can’t cope.”

April 16th, 2009 by Will Horwitz Posted in livelihoods


Will Horwitz.

A few days after we launched our report into UK poverty and the recession last week, I received the following email. I’ve taken out the name (because it’s always hard talking about being poor) and copied most of it below, with the author’s permission.

 

I am writing to support your campaign as I am on benefits myself.

I lost my job last year.

I have applied for 60 jobs and had my CV reviewed and rewritten, but I get the ‘unfortunately…’ letter every time. Five jobs have been withdrawn because the position isn’t cost-effective for the company.

I have never been on benefits before, and on this money I just can’t cope. It’s too little.

I get £100 per week. I have 2 kids aged 7 and 8, and £130 child benefit a month.

My gas is £15 per week. Electric £15 per week. Water £10 p/w. Shopping is £50 p/w.
£17.50 running a phone line to stay in contact with family, as the Council gave us a house in a town away from family (they have to call us though).

Then I have school trips and clubs (most of the time they can’t go, as i can’t afford it, so they miss out.)

I had to get the kids to go without a bath for a week because I had no gas! And I gave them my duvet while I slept under the sofa throw.

I get family to get children’s clothes for Christmas and birthdays as i cant afford to buy them. The children need shoes at £10-20 a go, and my shoes are hanging off my feet. My clothes I get from charity shops if I have a spare £5.

And my money has all gone.

I can’t do anything. I can’t even visit my family as I can’t afford the bus fare, and they don’t drive. The kids are suffering.

On top of this, my phone company tried to take money on the wrong day, and now I get bank charges. So for the last two weeks I have only had £50 benefits. I have called and argued with the company and bank, but they said ‘tough’.

I have another charge of £30 coming out next week, so I’ll only get £70.

Oh and my washing machine has just broken, so I have to wash clothes in the bath with cold water. I can’t afford to heat the tank for clothes and baths. To get a new one will be £200 minimum, so the kids’ cloths are going gray and damaged. I can’t go to the launderette at a wash of £4 a go, for 3 loads a week.

This is why government action in the budget next week is so desperately important. Their priority must be helping people like the writer above – in the UK and around the world – who are struggling with the devestating impacts of this recession.

 

 

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  1. 3 Responses to ““I lost my job last year…on this money I just can’t cope.””

  2. By Lucy Darling on Apr 16, 2009

    Why is Fred a girl – Fred is a boys name. I hate to think of the internal discussions which led to Fred being drawn as a woman. This makes a mockery of feminism.

  3. By Will on Apr 17, 2009

    Hi Lucy – FRED was supposed to represent all those who are Forgotten, Ripped-off, Excluded, or Debt-ridden. Both men and women.
    However, the acronym or the picture aren’t really the important things – the big question is, what should government do to ensure no-one is forced to struggle like the author of the email above? Our recommendations are laid out in the report – any thoughts?

  4. By Bill Bartmann on Sep 5, 2009

    Great site…keep up the good work.

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