Thursday, 1 May 2014

The 'gap' between the rich and poor, an unequal valley of unfairness

When reading the local newspapers it seems immensely clear that the articles within can be separated into two categories. One would be unhappiness towards the leaders of the community, and a bitter/ blame culture towards criminals in the community. As one section of the community seems to hold onto their healthy lifestyle, another struggles to survive. Obviously criminality is always wrong, causing victims to suffer and ruining community relations. But we should be scraping underneath the surface, WHY ! are people being lead to criminality. Whilst being at Uni iv had the opportunity to go on visits to Magistrates and Crown courts and have found out theres a lot of people really struggling. Stealing meats and other commodities to then sell on. Although this may be to fund drug abuse, the majority of these people seem to be just struggling financially.



This is extremely obvious when i provide the fact : "More than 18,600 people in Cheshire were forced to turn to a food banks last year, with 1,257 of those living in Nantwich alone." The Crewe Chronicle went on to say "Across the North West, 138,644 people reached crisis point – more than triple the number needing help the 12 months previous. The figure for the UK as a whole was 913,138 people." The Crewe Chronicle article 



Obviously people are in difficulty, with less money coming in and more money going out, unemployment or benefit problems. It would also be sensible to believe these problems may be causing more criminality. These problems need addressing with more jobs, more training, improved economy and a more sensible benefits system. Another way to solve these problems would be shortening the gap between upper and lower pay scales. 


Going back to the large 'gap' or more likely the giant gulf of a chasm. I now offer this fact "  "Study of 300 local authorities shows almost half of chief executives earn over £150,000, more than PM's £142,500link to the independent - Council Chiefs article The latest salary for a Cheshire council executive (that i could find) was £235,000 in 2012 £235.000 pay package We also see multiple articles regarding councillors using council computers and emails to for personal gain, selling land to developers whilst at work. And finally in the news we've heard that as of last month councillors will finally be paid the national recommended millage rate - 45p a mile (instead of the 52p a mile previously being used). In March 2014 we were also told that councillors have rejected recommendations from an independent panel to cut allowances, saving £150,000 for the taxpayer. Instead councillors have decided to save £40,000. 

"The panel had recommended total  savings of about £150,000 by cutting the  special responsibility allowances paid  to some councillors from £361,000 to  £210,000" Councillors reject £150,000 savings for £40,000

By comparing these two common subjects within local papers it seems we really do need to concentrate on shortening the 'gap' between upper and lower paid jobs. Although adcourse councillors are not the only people who get a great range of allowances and some paid extraordinary amounts. They provide a great example of the unequal range of salaries in our community.

What are your thoughts ?  please do share them below.

No comments:

Post a Comment