From John Barden:

"We bought a house in 1980 that we could afford. Not long after that interest rates reached staggering proportions (under a Tory Government). We hung on in there with bailiffs leaving us notes every other week.I had a poorly paid job, and my wife worked at whatever she could, ..."

In 1982 we also bought a house we could afford, a 2 up 2 down. It cost £26,000 and it was in London Commuter land, Ruislip Manor. Today, that same, tiny terraced house would be in the region of £250,000. The wages we earnt back then would be very little more today....

How the hell are our children EVER going to get on the housing ladder?

Even down here in Torquay, one of the cheaper parts of the West Country, a standard ex-council house will cost you around £130,000.

I can recall being told, when they brought VAT in, that it was a 'Luxury' tax, just on items that weren't really necessary. Now, it seems to be on almost everything you buy or need...and it's nearly TEN times what it was back then, whilst the average wage has risen a fraction of that percentage. VAT has always been an iniquitous tax.

I agree with Child Tax Credit disappearing from those who don't need it...and WTF has it been paid to them for so long anyway??? I agree with the 'Health in Pregnancy' benefits going (didn't even know that daft thing was in existence)..I also agree with parents NOT being given money to invest for their newborns...Hell, we never had any of that, nor would ever have expected The State to pay for any such thing. WTF has all that been about anyway? It's cost us billions of pounds...As has this crazy war we're still in. Why the hell don't we face up to the fact that bankrupt countries CANNOT fight wars in which they should not even be a part of! It'll not only save money but save lives...