What You've Said

Panorama: Feeling the Pinch was broadcast on BBC One at 8.30pm on Monday 14 April 2008.

Thank you for sending us your views on Panorama: Feeling the Pinch.

The debate is now closed but you can read a selection of your comments below.

Why don't we have balanced views reported. I realise that "bad news sells" but overdoing it will just talk the country and property market into oblivion - great to make news, but otherwise not very sensible. Doing away with 125% mortgages had to happen some time, but the reporting of higher rates for higher percentage mortgages making news - do me a favour, this long ago had been the case - the higher the deposit the better deal you could get as it was less risky! The banks, led by the BoE and the government, need to increase liquidity. What is wrong with tiered rate mortgages. Not all 100% mortgages will be bad risk, it surely depends on the individual situations. Having stability in the mortgage field should not be that difficult if institutions acted with common sense! Stability with slightly dearer mortgages (for the higher percentages) would probably lead to just a slowing of the property market and not a crash that the media are talking us into.
Simon, Hertfordshire

It's starting to become apparent the distain the BBC has for the British public. Comments such as "comic-strip documentaries" and "Biased Broadcasting Corp" are frighteningly accurate. The programme seems to have evolved into nothing more than a propaganda machine for the government. I appreciate the effort that went into showing a book with the word 'War' on it rather than actually discuss the effect the expenditure has had on the economy but this defeats the purpose of the programme. In recent time the programme has for my friends and I become a subject of amusement. I think this would be an ideal opportunity for some other broadcasting provider to 'Cash In' on the bias the BBC has for portraying the governments wished scenarios.
James Moran, Shotts, UK

Before the crash we endured reports on how first time buyers could not afford to get on the housing ladder, now it's emotional stories on families having their homes repossessed. This downturn is good for first time buyers and bad for those that stretched themselves beyond their means. But this doesn't make good news.
Lindsey McGregor, London

Tonight's programme was a bit of a coincidence. Today I had my first pay slip since the introduction of the increase in taxes and National Insurance, and I am now �150 take home a month worse off. I am a Station Manager within the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and I have worked hard throughout my career to get to the position I am in now. The pay rise I got when I was promoted 18 months ago now seems a waste of time, as I am back in the same position financially, as I am on less pay, and my tax credits were cut when I got promoted. What's happening to us hard working British workers? Are the government trying to punish us?
Carl Evans, Porthcawl, South Wales

Please stop treating us like babies and give us a serious program and not another of these comic-strip "documentaries"!
Nigel Dutt, Exeter, UK

Declan Curry, raises some very important issues about consumer Britain. However I think he should have put even more emphasis on the issue of the price of Oil. The issue of "Peak Oil" is going to dominate the 21st Century, Everything we do and produce is predicated on the use of Oil. I also found it very interesting when the Crane Driver he interviewed suggested that he couldn't say no to his kids!! As a social worker I find that attitude very disheartening, we are going to have to get used to saying no to our kids and ourselves much more. Well done for producing this timely programme.
Jim Whitehead, Dundee, Scotland

Judging by tonight's Panorama the good times are well and truly over and we all are feeling the pinch as a result. Too easy credit is to blame for a lot of the problems faced by thousands if not millions of people up and down the country. When times are good, we do not think about what will happen if times change and turn for the worse. The banks and other financial institutions are to blame for giving too easy credit, which when times are hard, many people cannot afford to pay back. Losing their homes is the ultimate price to pay which I think is very sad for hard working families up and down the country. I hope the Government keeps a close watch on the economy and will give help to all those who are finding it difficult to pay everyday bills. Rises in all workers' wages and salaries will go a long way to help families face their current financial problems.
Steve Fuller, Hove, East Sussex, England

Just wondering if the old Biased Broadcasting Corp' was at it again last night! You had all your facts backed up until your expert on Bristol commented upon Bristol's percentage of residents who were graduates - then compared the lack of formal qualifications of a city "like" Liverpool. No back-up - no comparing like for like. Why Liverpool...where are your facts... "A city like Liverpool" .. very odd...it's the same old story, if there is a city for you to have a pop at we know where you go... same old BBC!!
Neil Swift, Liverpool

Quite possibly one of the most inaccurate programmes I've ever watched. The sub-prime situation has wiped $300 billion off the stockmarket, which is valued at $15 trillion. A drop in the ocean. I could go on but it would take me all day. Now I know why your presenter doesn't work in the city, he hasn't got the capacity and is a panic merchant. I pay you for unbiased and accurate reporting. You should be ashamed. You might as well have put Teletubbies on for half an hour if you're desperate to fill the time. On a serious note, there is no recession. Tesco have just published record profits for God's sake, people will have to spend less but this is normal from time to time. Sub-prime wasn't a trigger for global meltdown. It was priced into the markets a year ago. Do your research you lazy buffoons. Don't waste my tax money on boozy lunches and second hand, inaccurate, ill-informed and quite frankly lazy reporting.
Neil William, London, England

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