Your Comments: How The Economy Got Personal

Many people have been struggling to cope with the rising cost of living

Thank you for sending us your comments on Panorama: How The Economy Got Personal.

The debate is now closed but a selection of your views are published below.

Panorama: How The Economy Got Personal was shown on BBC One at 8.30pm on Monday 1 September 2008.

The credit crunch has and is affecting many families sadly to serious financial breaking point. Many desperate measures are having to be taken by those left in debt after taking advantage of the so called "good times". It is very difficult to see the credit crunch coming to a swift end. Many people take advantage of generous offers being given by banks and other financial institutions when times are good, not thinking of the consequences when times change and the real financial cost emerges. It has always been the same, when times are good banks and other loan companies will lend money to all those applying. With any change in the economy the banks raise interest rates seriously affecting many people as we have seen. Now is the time for Government to do as much as it can to help those in the most need with rising fuel, food and energy costs. Something must be done before we see serious recession hitting Britain once again.
Steve Fuller

I almost always watch Panorama, and find it very interesting and informative and last night's programme was no exception. However I did find it strange that pensioners were not mentioned at all. I know the big anxiety at the moment is mortgages and first time buyers and most pensioners don't have that problem. We do have other problems, such as high food prices, water electricity and water bills and trying to keep the car running. I know we are getting some extra this winter to help with fuel bills but it's really not enough. The Council Tax has gone through the roof and we are on a very limited income and seeing that the average wage is now over �25,000 p.a. most pensioners can only dream of anywhere near that amount. So are we yet again the forgotten generation?
Pamela Baker

Disappointed!! How could you miss the punch line - Who is not affected by the need to make economies? Well how about the Chairmen and Directors of the banks who oversaw the uncontrolled lending which led to the credit crunch. They will still be expecting, and will certainly get, their million plus pounds bonus. They will not even need to change their orders for their latest super-car.
John Morrell

The programme last night, I thought, painted a far too gloomy portrait of the economy and will help to hinder confidence. The BBC should be promoting a more positive image and not adding to the doom and gloom. I agree that many people do have difficulties with rising food and fuel prices etc but the situation is being made worse by irresponsible reporting in the media which effects public mood and confidence. I am sure many people found it difficult to sleep last night expecting the worst even if they are not unduly affected at the moment. I believe more thought should be given to the content of programmes - not long ago we were being encouraged to buy second homes and spent spent spent through many programmes!
Sandra

I watched your programme tonight and to be honest it scared the life out of me! I can not understand how this so called credit crunch has hit so hard & so quickly! I am self employed and I am so close to having to sign on as I have no work coming in & no enquiries. I owe advertisers money for adverts but without advertising there is no chance of customers! This is a very worrying time for all of us and I don't know where it is going to end.
Tony Messenger

Why, oh why, does the media, including Panorama, insist on looking at the worst possible facet of the economy. In one example, more people felt confident or more confident of their job, yet the programme focussed on the others, the negative. Debt of the unemployed and uneducated has not got worse. It has been the same for a decade. The financial management of Charlotte - a woman who clearly has no financial intellect at all - is nothing to do with the credit crunch. Why must you drive the economy down through this negative press? The examples you use are poor and sensationalised journalism.
Mike Dale

After watching tonight's Panorama about our nation's economy. I noticed that two pub landlords were going out of business, one was sold for a penny, the other closed down. Then there was one business under threat - the brickcutter's boss who had to dismiss six of his nine workers and still failed to win a contract, and a couple of householders, one a single mum, whose debts were becoming a burden. And oh yes, a booming trade for a pawnbroker. But there were one group of people missing from the programme. They were the City traders, bankers, stockbrokers, and all professionals. I have noticed that none of them were interviewed. And how are the shareholders coping with the present economic climate? Shareholders of British Gas for example, and those who trade in petrol, diesel and other fuels? Or are we, Joe Public, lining their pockets on our expense?
Frank Blasi

The focus of your program seems to ignore the fact that we have been warned about over-stretching ourselves financially for most of the past 10 years. There has to be a reckoning with finances at some point, therefore your programme is simply emphasising that for some people that reckoning is here and now. It is hard making a living, but in recent years we are bombarded with "easy life fortunes" in programmes such as The Apprentice, or even watching sportsmen rewarded with massive wealth. When nonentities who lie on national TV can be hired to work for Alan Sugar for �100K in front of our eyes, is it any wonder that swathes of the country think they can live the good life on plastic and avoid a day of reckoning. We appear to be living in the stupid lazy age where more and more people want something for nothing. I feel sorry for everyone who is losing their home or in danger of doing so, equally I sympathise for those out of work who genuinely wish to be part of society through a paid job. Unfortunately, the suffering of many has to be balanced against the greed and stupidity of others. Perhaps Panorama could contrast the groups of financial misfortune, can't cope won't cope and all those in between perhaps?
Richard

I am a woman in her fifties living on my own, and I have no partner to contribute to the household outgoings. My monthly salary is immediately absorbed by the increase in monthly direct debits for gas, electricity, insurances, mortgage, petrol and food, not to mention the increase this year in the fixed rate mortgage I had to take on - spending in the supermarket has dropped dramatically. My credit card is now pushed up to the limit... not looking forward to the winter... at least if you are a pensioner you get cash assistance for your utilities, etc. but because I choose to work, and do not claim benefits I feel isolated, and do not know how I will get through this without having to possibly sell the house.
Barbara Rainger

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version