Do you think the UK is generally improving or worsening as a place to live?

Question

If possible can answerers tell me what their media sources are, ie, which papers, TV stations, websites or stations.

Cheers.

Cheers for all the feedback so far. All very interesting. Please could more people site the sources of this belief. I'm asking this mainly based on a YouGov poll that stated while people's individual experience of the NHS, immigration, crime etc is usually very good, the majority think the country as whole is going down the pan.

I want to know if I'm right to blame some of the media, like the mail, for making up a lot of bad stories, especially about this so called flood of immigrants and youth crime.

Answer 1

i read the sun everyday, and listen to the news at least once a day! oh and bbc news online for my info, and yes this country is getting worse, crime, the age of what crime is commited at now (too young), the lack of respect for people and their belongings, and overall i just think the country is a bloody mess, the poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer here, it very very sad

Answer 2

I am Irish, moved to the UK when I was just 17 to start University there (only chance I had, as I won a scholarship). Left about one month after I got my Ph.D. at 25 (paid for by winning another scholarship - my family were born poor, and will die poor). I am 46 now.

I have lived all over the world - 44 countries to be exact. I live in Italy now as my wife is Italian (from Naples).

I was back in the UK over Christmas to visit my brother who lives there with his wife (she is Italian too - one of those strange coincidences!).

To the point: The UK is a mess for sure. Why? Well, as others say, it's a long story. But, if you read back through the other answers you received, don't be surprised to see many references to unrealistic expectations. Everyone wants a six figure salary for working in a newsagents, or, if not, then that the State should pay them for doing sweet F.A. Plus, there are many references to 'immigrants' damaging the UK economy, but no reference, for example, to the fact that the pc's we all use cost us only $600 because WE USE 'immigrants' in Malaysia to make them for us at £1 an hour.

At best, this is a shortsighted point of view, at worst, idiotic.

But, as I saw while I was in the UK last week, there is a very deep and (in its own way) highly impressive idiot culture in the UK now. Everyone has a tattoo of the Union Jack and spouts 'best f*ckin' country in the f*ckin' world mate', while knowing nothing, zero, rock bottom of their own history. All that matters is lager, sh*t TV, and celebrity.

I am certainly glad I left the UK, even if I am eternally grateful for receiving what is still probably the best education from the best education system in the world.

Greetings from Italy.

Jim

Answer 3

I live in Spain but I listen to the BBC all the time and watch British TV on satellite (All the BBC channels, ITV etc). From an outsider's perspective, I have to say I wouldn't necessarily choose to go live there. There seems to be a lot of crime, esp. murders, children disappearing on their way home from school only to be found buried in someone's garden, and things like that. I get this from British news programmes, mind, not other countries. And it's not outsiders (foreigners) committing all the crimes, either--most of them are "regular" Brits (whatever that means.) Then you have amazing amounts of red tape, the education system in constant flux, the NHS seems to be getting more inefficient every year, strikes galore...no, it doesn't seem like a very inviting place to live.

Answer 4

Why do so many people talk about immigration, we are not being over run at all. I sometimes ask people who think this way how many immigrants do they know and will avoid the question. Besides, some net immigration may be economically advantageous to offset the ageing population and decreasing birth rates. And lets face it, most of them can make better food than people in Britain.

Answer 5

There are problems everywhere, Ive lived in a fair few places, and generally it is only small groups of evil infected creatures that cause problems fro the generally peaceful and easy going people.

The main problem is government. They are responsible for society issues such as crime and violence and taxes, but alas they are too busy screwing us for every penny they can get, only to continue causing wars for resources or money.

One day they will answer, as we all will, for our actions.

We can only hope and pray that we can build a better world TOGETHER! for our children and childrens children!

Peace

Answer 6

In spite of technology improvements, I think life in the UK, Canada, and the USA is dropping along lines of freedom, self-respect, and overall respect from the world.
Sir Charles, the Cheeky

Answer 7

Don't need media sources to tell you mate - it's getting worse!

Just walk down to your local jobcentre and see all the immigrants picking up their payments and spitting all over the gaff!

Just walk thru any major town in the country and see all the scumbags wandering the streets.

Answer 8

as i'm a pure bread yorkshireman the state the uk is in at the moment stinks it's a country designed 2 clothe & feed the entire world with the exeption of the true english man who lives works & is born there

Answer 9

I think it is a great place to live and I would not take much notice of any Media stories to judge this as they tend to say what they think people want to hear

Answer 10

It is getting too crowded. Like a city all over. City life runs at a callous hectic pace. More opportunities, more (dis-) stress, more queues, more accidents, more people (good and bad). I don't like it so much.