We arrive at the present day. You'd think that after all this experience of living in a world ruled by money we'd have found how to manage the system. In 2008 we found that we were in the hands of greedy and unscrupulous men who had encouraged debt, created phantom assets to keep the flow of money going and finally, because they were incompetent and didn't fully understand the Frankenstein they had created failed and turned to us to rescue them. Harsh words but unfortunately true.
This was a global failure and it has made making a living harder all round. The worst aspect of it is that it has driven a wedge between the haves and the have-nots. The average disposable income fell by almost 2% in the first half of the year but it was worse than this because it is masked by a 7% rise in the highest incomes. Add to this the disproportionate rise in prices of basic needs like energy, transport and food which are a higher percentage of the expenses of the poorest and we have a perfect storm which shows no signs of abating. The official view is more cuts and austerity till 2020. I'm afraid I don't believe this because they are talking about averages. In effect we have mortgaged the future of our children.
The difference I see between this and the situation in years gone by is that no matter how bad the situation was, at least there was reason to think that the children would see an improvement. All right, there were hitches along the way like war, disease and trade depressions but the story of the last two hundred years has been one of gradual overall improvement. What we have now are leaders who are millionaires telling us that if we tighten our belts things will get better. At the same time we see a proposal to set up a food bank in the area, teachers taking cast-off children's clothes into school for the most deprived of their pupils and basic services like social care being starved of cash. The biggest growth area on high streets all over the land is in betting shops and pay day loan companies charging obscene rates of interest to people who can't afford to pay the debts. The TV advertising is full of bingo sites and advertisements for get rich quick schemes by no win no fee solicitors encouraging 'accident victims' to sue for damages.
What would the old Barlickers make of all this? Their society was often deprived but they thrived on honest hard work and gave us the town we have today. I suspect they would be totally bemused by the situation we find ourselves in. I feel sorry for the young deprived of that first essential job which paid a small wage but educated them in the world of work. We have cheated them and making a living was never harder. Is what we have to report progress?
20p an hour in 1960 but a living wage.