The news that people inheriting land worth at least £1 million will have to pay tax on it has drawn significantly more outrage from politicians and the press than the news that 1 in 3 children in Britain are now living in poverty…
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Does show the news-value of a protest, particularly one that isn't just the usual suspects...
And the farmers shouting are specific people affected in a specific way. Most of those in poverty who weren't before unlikely to have such a specific/newsworthy moment or to have felt well-off previously
And what about all those teenagers that are missing school because of long waiting lists for healthcare including mental health support services?! Papers just bang on about attendance... doesn't help that they call it school refusal! 🤯
It has generated more outrage because it affects the rich and the powerful who have many friends in the media. Those in poverty are on the whole voiceless without any powerful friends in the media.
The bosses got rid of Sanghita Myska for speaking truthfully and now the weekend slots are mainly occupied by Ali Miraj and Vanessa Feltz. I no longer listen after Matt Frei finishes his Saturday morning show.
I followed you back, partly because I looked at who you are following - which is something I generally try to do with all users I follow 🙂 Thank you for reminding me about Led By Donkeys. I am now following them again; missed them since leaving Twitter.
The question is, will it reach the astronomical level of outrage that adding VAT to private school fees did? It's almost as if a certain demographic are trying to protect their own interests ...
Even worse, poverty is rising fastest in the under-5’s age group. Poverty has a real impact on children from the start of their lives. Poorer children are more likely to start primary school without the basic skills they need, even being able to speak in full sentences, and they may never catch up.
Poor, hungry children with grubby clothes (which some teachers wash for them) and without easy access to a dentist, even if their parents can afford treatment; these vulnerable children deserve so much more than this hopeless mess. How can the NHS ever be fixed with avoidable problems like this?
Well of course. For those who hold power and wealth it is very important to preserve existing power structures. This means that certain amount of people need to be kept subordinated, otherwise who else will do the menial, unpleasant low-paid work 🤷🏻♀️
Sadly the the impulse to unthinkingly defer to those who have power is strong.
Then again deference does seem to be waning in modern times- perhaps it has always waxed and waned?
Well said. Interesting to compare the replies here to the ones on Xitter. Over there they seem to hate children and working families. Keep posting there.
It’s hugely dangerous for our society in this age of quick proliferation of disinformation! Keeping everyone worked up resulting in rioting without preventative methods in place!
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And the farmers shouting are specific people affected in a specific way. Most of those in poverty who weren't before unlikely to have such a specific/newsworthy moment or to have felt well-off previously
Doesn't make Ben Kentish responsible for LBC hires, or his observation any less true though.
Joined a few days ago by the looks of it.
But we couldn't have that, could we, Benjamin?
Then again deference does seem to be waning in modern times- perhaps it has always waxed and waned?
And the poverty is massive.