Stu, who was helped by CAP to become debt free, shares his thoughts about the importance of social mobility, and his hopes for a new Government to bring positive change.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the individual authors at the time of writing. Any content in this blog by people with lived experience is their opinion, and provides a place for them to share their valuable insights of debt, poverty, and other issues that matter to them.
So, 2024 has been eventful as I’ve already alluded to in my last blog, but wow!
The date was the 22 May 2024 and in typical British spring weather, it was rather wet, but the media was abuzz with speculation of an election. It was an interesting experiment to see all these journalists parked outside 10 Downing Street in umbrellas, filibustering about this “announcement” expected later on. And so at 5.13 pm, Rishi Sunak-instead of holding the press conference in a lovely warm media room,-stepped out into the pouring rain to announce that there’ll be a general election on 4 July. Since then, we’ve had a whirlwind of election campaigning, ballot counting, and a new governing party moving into Westminster.
As Labour steps into leadership, one thing that I’d like them to focus on is social mobility.
Social mobility should be prioritised
Social mobility benefits the economy; it creates access to new centres of business, trade, and regenerates our communities with investment, job creation, better access to education, and NHS services. But I feel it’s also good for people’s mental health; it allows people to work and train to better themselves, and it brings back the value of community and togetherness.
But as things stand, social mobility is being prevented for a number of reasons: one of them being transport costs.
Many, like me, have to travel to work either by train, tube, tram, or bus. This can be expensive, and most companies won’t pay for it nowadays. This is a particular challenge for those working in the low-paid worker sector, who have to pay for it and get no reimbursement.
Average monthly public transport costs are substantial
Bus season passes can cost between £12 to £20 a week, a weekly train pass to London from Birmingham can cost as much as £176 a week, and a zone nine to one on TFL rail can cost £11.30 a week. That’s even more expense being added to our already tight budgets.
With finances being tightened by crippling costs, the extra expense of having to travel to and from work is something people are not willing to do any more. Or, they’re having to do it by necessity, even if this means going into debt.
If we make our transport cheaper and more accessible (not just serving big towns and cities but those little communities who might only see one return bus a day, or in some cases, a week) the more mobility and access that can be offered to residents, and the better it is for the local economy. Public transportation that’s affordable and reliable would help people to travel to jobs that are higher paid, more reliable, or better suited to their skills. It also encourages people to travel to other towns and cities to use their shops, cafés, bars and restaurants, entertainment centres, and cinemas.
I know the next five years are going to be tough for the country; the new government has to deal with a backlog of under-investment, to bring in better living standards, and to reduce the cost of living. This is the main focus of what the British people want and need right now.
Hope isn’t lost
And as we wait for Sir Keir Starmer to bring in his own policies, we need to help each other. Although it can feel that we have lost that community spirit within our own housing estates and towns, remember there are pockets of angels there when you need them the most!
About the author:
Stu was supported by CAP to become debt free, and is on a mission to help others. He became a Christian following a CAP charity event, and now knows God’s hand on him in his life. Read more of his brilliant blogs below:
