Getting Ahead In The UK Has Never Been Harder

[@britingermany]

Morning all. I felt the need to make this after coming across the articles and stats and the U.K. let me know what your experience is if you are living and working in the U.K. happy Sunday

[@ep1929]

Life is good providing you have a paid off house, zero debts and low overheads. Otherwise if there is mortgage/rent, car debt, credit cards etc life can become unbearable and seem hopeless.

[@T.JVeldens]

The £ has been devalued. Cost of living rising sharply. The country is meant to be powerful first world, feels like falling apart. Things don't work. Morale is at all time low. But we keep going. The real problem is the asset and wealth shift to corporations with not enough investment. Until we fix that the UK will continue mass inequality.

[@LowAmbitions]

I have nothing really, no money, no savings a clapped out van that I'm converting into a tiny thing to live in as I cant afford where I live. I've moved from oxford to Scotland because I couldn't afford to live there anymore and due to that I lost my job there too. I did my apprenticeship in Germany when I was 17 as a Betriebselektroniker, then when I moved to the UK I joined the military and stayed for 5 years, now I'm lost and don't even have enough to go back to Germany and live close to my family again. I loved this country but now I'm at the bottom (very close) and I'm sick and tired of chasing dreams and money, all I want is to be there for my family. I'm 31 and feel like I've wasted the past 8 years here, this place is turning into clown land and it seems its all just about appearance. sorry for the rant, I liked the video

[@malthusXIII-fo3ep]

I've switched my energy supplier again, this time to Utility Warehouse. I use mainly Economy 7 night storage heaters for winter heating. Kwh rate now halved to just 6p per kwh unit. No ''crisis'' here!

[@malthusXIII-fo3ep]

@@ep1929 Millions had huge credit card debts during the Brown years. It was encouraged. By 2008, it all went ''pop''.

[@phyllisbennett5414]

Superb.I wish someone had sat down and talked to me like that in my 20s. I moved abroad in my 60s,and love it,especially the feeling of being free to be myself for the first time in my life.

[@britingermany]

Good for you and well done 👍🏻

[@macflod]

Which country?

[@phyllisbennett5414]

@@macflod France

[@macflod]

@@phyllisbennett5414 cool! I think i will be going there for first time next month. Im trying to learn some french

[@cb7560]

I left in 2012 - had had enough of "Broken Britain" even then. Expensive, shit housing, high cost of living, an entrenched class system, racism, and nothing worked! I am not a high achiever, was never going to inherit anything (which is essential in the UK), so had the sense to bail out, as I would have never have survived, let alone prospered, on a low wage in the UK.

[@britingermany]

Glad you moaned to make it. It's never easy making a move

[@alia9087]

Moved 20 years ago and did land a good job that I possibly could not have got in the UK

[@britingermany]

Well done 👍🏻

[@deeomayall]

7:20 Look, I'm a EU citizen, I did exactly as you said and moved to the UK, and one decade later I found myself in this mess. Please don't tell me with a straight face that the way to save myself from the prospect of loss, doom, and apathy is to start that all over again!!!

[@zelands]

I am studying for the sole reason that I can leave, and have better chances in Europe. Right now doing additional masters in Germany, and while even settling in can be challenging, I already have my belief about not wanting to continue living in UK reinforced on a daily basis. Yes, it is not perfect, but there are obvious advantages.

[@britingermany]

Sounds like you've decided on a pat. Well done! It's not easy getting to that stage

[@ageoflove1980]

I made this point before. In my opinion the biggest problem the UK has is the almost absolute division between private and state education. Only 6% of students are currently being educated at a private school. If you look at for example senior level bankers, youll see that 60% is privately educated. 61% for senior doctors, 33% of lawyers etc. These type of "upper middle-class" jobs are traditionally a great facilitator of social mobility, however in the UK this does not seem to be the case. And ultimately this is not a good thing. These are important jobs and as a society you want your best and brightest performing them, not the ones who had the good fortune of parents who can afford 50,000 quid a year in tuition. As a coutnry you are drawing your talent from a much smaller pool this way and its just an invitation to nepotism and even corruption. Because its not only the quality of the education itself, but also the opportunity to start bulding connections from a very young age onward. Its not a coincidence that you can see former PM's Boris Johnson and David Cameron in the same school picture together.

[@Cozzi0]

Very succinctly summarised. This has largely always been the case in the UK unfortunately and shows no signs of improving, even as access to university tuition fees etc has been made easier to access for students of a lower socio-economic status.

[@davidc4408]

Disagree somewhat. You can overcome this attending the elite Russell group universities, getting internships with international companies and just outwork. Some sectors easier like medicine, investment banking etc. Others harder obviously like politics

[@Cozzi0]

@@davidc4408 The odds are still significantly against you if you come from a working class background though. I remember about 2 students from the college I went to got into oxbridge for example from my year group. They were both extremely intelligent, probably bordering genius level, but both seemed to come from slightly more affluent families. Who knows what leg ups they had as opposed to the average student in a very working class college. They likely had parents that prioritised private tuition etc. I'm not saying it's impossible, but to get into those same elite positions coming from a working class background you have to usually be significantly more intelligent, have a dogged determination to work harder than everyone else who has an advantage over you. I would argue its potentially exponentially more difficult if you are from a working class background, given the significant disadvantages you start with.

[@davidc4408]

@@Cozzi0 it's hard but if you are intelligent and driven you can do better. I went to a state school, not too bad sixth form but the school performed poorly. Got into top Russell group university in mathematics and finance , and then Masters degree in US. Came back to work in London as quant trader (is really performance driven based on your skill - degrees and internships just gave you entry in, and salary could take you from 200k to potentially in the millions). Another relative went into dentistry (attracts kids all class backgrounds as long as reasonably smart, obviously still middle and upper class mainly, but can open door to high salary if manage your own successful practice. He now owns 2 dental practices and doing very well financially. Trades are another way to potentially do well in UK, if setting up your business. My uncle left school at 16 and trained as an electrician. Set up large business running commercial electrical projects across UK and employing over 200 staff. Made him a multimillionaire and very good lifestyle and far better than many useless liberal arts majors will achieve.

[@Purple_flower09]

This is why private education in the UK needs to be shut down. It just perpetuates privilege and power for the few.

[@rjflores438]

The UK has always had a class system and the gap between the haves and have nots are just getting wider and wider.

[@whatnextincomo]

Class structures are not such a bad or unnatural thing. Better than communism.

[@Phiyedough]

I left UK in 2011 so my experiences are out of date but I always found it very competitive to get any kind of job, let alone a good job. I left school at 16 in 1976. I did later get a BSc degree via vocational qualifications. In addition to skills and qualifications you also need to be good at job interviews and I never was. The best thing I ever did was become self employed, starting a sole trader business. From what I can tell, starting such a business is easier in UK than pretty much any other country. In my case I left UK for health reasons, I effectively retired at 51.

[@britingermany]

Not bad not bad. Sounds like you did a lot of things right. Retiring at 51 is a nice thing to have top your sleeve

[@ConfusingSecurity]

@@britingermany Another point is that of employment advancement opportunities. As was nicely covered in this video, it really is more about who you come into contact with during your formative years which dictates the work possibilities in adult life. I come from a very "chavvy" background, so I never really set my aspirations highly. However, having moved to Sweden in 2012 and despite not possessing much of a formal education (bad grades in high school, dropped out of uni), I was surprised to find that companies in Sweden were more focused on skill and experience than qualifications on paper. Thanks to my time there, I've gone from being a firewall engineer to 6 years later, end-to-end technical project manager for telecom. I'm convinced I never would have had this opportunity had I stayed in Britain my entire life, as I simply didn't come from the right background and started off somewhat badly where qualifications are concerned (my family's view is education is for posh snobs, so it was never given the seriousness it should have been given).

[@CobbsCorner]

What business did you start?

[@sarah-kk4om]

Health problems for someone is a big barrier to them having social mobility in Britain due to the structure of the health service.

[@Kaizen917]

I used to live in the UK between 2001 and 2017(still visiting on and off) but tbh, even back when economy seemed to be doing better and social mobility was generally considered as improving, there were still a bit too many old rules and arrangements that stood out for me as holding things back. Whats worse, there is lack of acknowledgement that there might be a problem but rather a pride in some odd "it was always thus" mentality.

[@mrmeldrew693]

The 40% tax rate above £50K keeps people like me in my 'place'. Huge inward migration keeps wages low and housing costs ridiculously high for everyone apart from the already very wealthy. Access to public services has also never been so poor.

[@britingermany]

Right. That's pretty much the same tax rate as in Germany (42%). People always use Germany as an example of draconian tax slavery but quite honestly public serves and the cost of living are cheaper here jobs pay more. 50K is not a great salary in a major German city...

[@744shinryu]

40% income + 12% employers national insurance + 12 employees national insurance. It’s 64% above 50k

[@roseyemelyanova8182]

Those same migrants pay more taxes than you and contribute to our economy. Careful you don't turn into a fascist.

[@roseyemelyanova8182]

The tax system does need reform but migrants are not to blame. The extremely wealthy are to blame from buying up the assets of the middle class. The government is to blame for not having an actually progressive tax system that taxes the extremely wealthy based on their wealth. Not the migrants. The migrants are a net economic good Note - immigrants actually reduce house prices, ironically because of the xenophobia they experience when they move in. I.e. house prices fall in areas where immigrants move in which is a sad fact. Also note we can fix the housing crisis way easier if we just built more fucking homes and stoped concentrating wealth in London so people didn't have to move there to survive.

[@seanriordan6726]

NI contributions are 2% above 50k but student loan is also 9% so tax rate is 51% which is crazy considering how much tax is outside of income. Council tax, VAT, road tax, fuel duty just to name a few.

[@danazollner7974]

I am from Germany and have been living in the UK for 5 years now. I worked for a company that had to reduce their staff by 20% due to the current economic climate. I personally feel like I am not earning enough compared to the work I am doing, which has made me seriously consider moving back to Germany, seeing as Germany has an “Arbeitnehmermarkt” at the moment

[@britingermany]

the situation is better in Germany at the moment. I’m always shocked by the salaries that are advertised in the U.K. like 35000 Pounds a year for a manager or director role in a medium sized company. 35000?! And that’s advertised as a good salary! Sometimes I don’t know how people manage to make it work there

[@mtarjme]

@danazollner7974 I'm a German in the UK, too. Been here longer than you have and basically pay has gone down and what employers/clients ask for is up. I'm talking about people who were reasonable before the various crises. I wouldn't say it's all due to COVID, but some of it is Brexit, looking to different markets outside Europe and adopting US and Indian style business behaviours. In my field a lot of white-collar jobs are now done remotely in low cost countries for (I suspect) around 700 quid a month, way less than someone on minimum wage here. We're talking about university educated people here. Bank holidays have been cut and I have been harassed in both Boxing Day and Good Friday this year despite stating I'm taking the time off as I'm a freelancer. Deadlines have always been tight, but they're so tight now that regular of hours work is necessary. And where in the past people asked for favours, they now expect work to be done for free.

[@thereallotharmatthae]

Also moved back from the UK to Germany. Love the UK, but life in Germany is a bit more chill. Still have a flat in London though (currently rented out).

[@T.JVeldens]

The situation in UK saddens me. Too many professions are undervalued. Hard to make ends meet.

[@danazollner7974]

@@T.JVeldens very true unfortunately 😕

[@thadtuiol1717]

The writing was on the wall in the 80s/90s, which was a major reason why I got out of the UK. Britain is finished, it may as well formally apply to join the USA as the 51st state.

[@withoutwroeirs]

Left Edinburgh for Munich in 2011. The network of peeps I left behind was replaced with another. For sure since living the UK we find ourselves working to live rather than living to work. The UK is much more creative for sure yet witnessing inequality on my return trips is sickening. Imagine both parents working and still being in poverty? I send money back home to helps make ends meet. My daughter attends Montessori school, it is quite a departure from the traditional system here in Germany. Yet the other daughter thrives on the state run system. It is one thing to remain in the country I grew up but to not taste all the experiences on offer, as you say life is short. If you're able to explore, do it!

[@britingermany]

2011 is when I arrived in Germany too. Yes I agree that it’s more creative…maybe it’s still finding it’s feet after Brexit and Covid. The situation is definitely worse now than it was in 2011.

[@occamsshavecream4541]

I researched moving to the U.K. over twenty years ago, these trends were in the making for some time, regrettably, as you explain.

[@britingermany]

So I'm guessing you didn't make the move? I mean it#s great of you are well paid...but then again so are most countries

[@matt47110815]

As always. a great thought provoking video, and for those of us that relocated to another Country, something to reflect upon. The value of life experience gained by living abroad is indeed immense - and upon my return to Germany i still have trouble understanding why Germans in general complain so much about how things are and how they are so oblivious to how much rougher things are in comparable countries... 😅 Have a great Weekend all, and a Happy Easter! 😊

[@britingermany]

Thank you and same to you :)

[@lynnm6413]

I lived in France and the US, and I think the German complaining is also one of the reasons why there is still (though less) an active search for solution to perceived problems… …where as in the US my impression was that anytime a comparison between two systems didn‘t favor the American way, people got personally insulted by not being the best and cut off the discussion or perceived the speaker (me) as offensive. Let‘s not argue was a favorite line of my host mom when I questioned something…even only to understand the difference. If you rather gaslight everyone into believing you are the ULTIMATE BEST, like Merkel did for years to Germany while we fell further and further behind on green energy….then you reap the consequences as we did now.

[@FrikaWies]

It moves me to tears that Brits now move to Germany for having a better life.

[@britingermany]

I know. Hopefully this is not a permanent trend and will improve at some point…but a lot needs to change for that

[@Purple_flower09]

British people moving to Germany for higher pay is not new at all. And who remembers the thousands of British workers who went to work on German building sites in the 1980's?

[@TheyCalledMeT]

don't .. the german economy struggles hard on the insane energy costs they have now where northstream 1 and 2 have been strategically blown up energy cost is the major negative factor in the german economy

[@carlbland68]

germany has always been better than the uk lived there as a kid not as many druggies a as much poverty @@britingermany

[@hoWa3920]

@@Purple_flower09 And into the nineties, built a workschop in 1993/4, concrete and brick work was done by brits.

[@homegardens7682]

I am a care assistant in a care home. Poor pay but very satisfying work. It in many ways it is a microcosm into what is happening in the country. Staffing largely covered by foreign staff (Of which are very hard working and a credit to our society). The care home owner is very wealthy and hugely benefits from the cheap foreign (and people like me) labour. People like him increasing the pay for care home staff to one which is more ethical will never happen. This is happening in so many industries. Rent costs being incredibly high, bills etc etc. Its a huge spiral. Of course, I choose to work where I do and I could always leave/gain education etc. It won't and can't improve as a whole because so many wealthy people (whether through ill gotten means or good means or a bit of both) are ultimately in charge and hold the purse strings. I could go on.

[@britingermany]

Interesting insight thanks for sharing. and well done on care work it's one of those professions that should be paid a lot more. I suppose it's a matter of supply and demand. If there is enough supply which is seems there is then it's not necessary to raise wages and I'm not sure strikes will help there

[@jeffreyjackson5229]

Read carefully. Unless you inherit wealth or are of that small minority that become wealthy by some type of personal talent, you will reside your entire life in one three places: The top of the bottom, the middle of the bottom, or the bottom of the bottom. It is what it is.

[@eXclusive1]

Thanks mate

[@lusigijustus7274]

Like the sound of that

[@HeadsFullOfEyeballs]

Regarding the discrepancy between London and the rest of the UK: I saw a nice graph the other day showing the per-capita income of different countries, next to per-capita income for those same countries _if you exclude the richest region._ As you might expect, it makes almost no difference for Germany -- the country is pluricentric and so the richest region is about as rich as the second-richest. In the UK meanwhile the drop is _gigantic_ because the entire economy is in London.

[@aldamon]

Bruh, what economy? everyone in London is broke, its too expensive here, the higher salary means nothing.

[@jacknakamori3280]

Yep! I moved to central London in 2012… thank god!!

[@aldamon]

@@jacknakamori3280 is the cost of living not through the roof? 🧐

[@JJ-rp2df]

So true how self fulfilling belief can improve one's station in life; going against the grain, taking greater risks and doing different things. Thanks BiG

[@skywalker7778]

Hi Benjamin, how lovely to always listen to your insights on a Sunday morning! Having had to move back from Germany to my country in the South was certainly a wake up slap how one can land up where one started. My next move would be to an exotic island to transfer skills & wisdom to those lesser priviliged ( Internet & a spititually balanced culture inlc). Have an awesome Ostern! 🐰

[@britingermany]

Thanks a lot. Happy Easter to you too😀

[@wallykaspars9700]

Belief in self is extremely important. Generally, society discourages that.

[@no_soy_rubio]

Absolutely spot on. Small businesses have no chance of competing now. The government say there's no money for salary increases for public services yet they're OK. I worked my arse off in my last job for 8 years (including all throughout covid) yet there was no promotion, no pay increase in line with inflation etc. I just left the UK and am travelling and remote working now. Glad to be out of there and not doing the same grind till I'm 75

[@britingermany]

Well done. if you have digital skills then I think you're well set for the next decade

[@AndreaPick]

Very good video. My son is in uni in the UK, been to Germany and many other place's around Europe and at the moment he has his eye's on Poland to live when done with uni. I may well join him, that would stop his gallop. 😂😂

[@britingermany]

🤣🤣. I’m hearing a lot of positive things about Poland at the moment. Maybe I’ll look I to that 🤔

[@mrmanio4935]

Be v carefull guys, lot's of ppl are leaving Poland becouse of the possibility of war coming to this country from the east. I live and work in UK since 2007, thinking about moving to Germany but almost dont know the language. Are there any jobs for english speaking person over in Germany? Peace

[@eXclusive1]

@@mrmanio4935propaganda from you and your crystal ball.

[@mrmanio4935]

@@eXclusive1 let's hope and pray you're right

[@YvonneHoerde]

@@britingermany Poland is a great place, however, is it not a bit conservative compared to the UK? I have heard that the Catholic church is very influential there.

[@RuachEden]

I lived in The Netherlands for 10 years and now often wish that I had stayed there. I would highly recommend living abroad for a period of time to any one, for the reasons that you touch on. Not only does it enable you to see things from a different perspective; you can more easily see how much of your life is dictated by the intellectual and cultural environment in wich you live but you grow as a person, it's adventurous so you learn and develop; it stimulates you, often in ways that you didn't envisage or intend. The current UK government has progressively moved money out of circulation and turned it into private or Corporate wealth, which has bought basic infrastructure, both physical and social to near breaking point. Add to that over regulation and complication of social infrastructure due to privatisation and it now seems that there innumerable barriers to even the simplest processes that just don't exist in the E.U., responsibility for which is constantly being shifted onto the individual and blamed on various minority groups. One of the major differences that I see between Germany and The Benelux in comparison with The UK is that over there the social amenities are managed and maintained on the basis that the whole of society needs them and not exclusively for profit. That sense of collective social welfare and responsibility has been eroded here. As for increasing poverty, never mind the very real underlying subtle mentalities rooted in class structure. look no further than2 decades of austerity economics and the one you forgot to mention, the political elephant in the room, namely Brexit.

[@hoWa3920]

The acceptance of class system is the core of any problem UK is facing ever since because only the peasants are suffering, not the lords.

[@britingermany]

Yeah I think he people in power really struggle to relate to the poor..if you've never been poor it's hard to really understand what that's like

[@hoWa3920]

@@britingermany "..if you've never been poor it's hard to really understand what that's like " But also vice versa I think. The working poor and th so called middle class do not really understand that it's not a law of nature to have an upper class. As I see it UK has to get rid of the royals and the lords for a change .

[@YvonneHoerde]

@@hoWa3920 I think already with Thatcher, the ideal of a society that is mostly middle class had been given up. Pro forma, we still have it here in Germany. You call that the "nivellisierende Mittelklassegesellschaft". The ideal here is that everyone is somehow middle class. But this is shrinking. Not as fast as in the UK, but you notice it. Still, what is funny is that even the upper class people like, for example, the leader of the CDU, Friedrich Merz (the conservative party here), is calling himself "middle class", whilst his income. and his lifestyle is really upperclass. But it is a sign that this ideal of a middle-class-society is still alive.

[@rogerhardy6306]

Thanks for this which reflects my personal experience. I am a professional engineer but couldn't get on in UK, partly because I am gay and there is still an unspoken prejudice against such things. My career took off when I moved to a European Agency, (NL, Belgium, Germany) where such prejudices do not make any difference and your career depends on merit and performance. Best decision I ever made...made even sweeter when I found that my former bosses were now working for me!

[@britingermany]

I thanks for sharing. I'm surprised that being gay is a problem in the UK. my experience has been that it is very open and accepting. But maybe you mean the field of engineering? Haha that is retribution to be "over" your old bosses. Well done

[@CavHDeu]

​@britingermany Perhaps this acceptance only exists in the minds of Londoners. Many people in the east german states (former GDR) and in very rural areas of Germany have problems accepting queer people. The crime rate is also higher in the east.

[@richardwills-woodward]

This is in your mind only, sorry but it is. Gay people are everywhere here and we have the culture rammed down out throats 24/7. Start focusing on engineering, not your sexuality. No-one knows what you are and no-one cares! What they care about it whether you can do the job. Most people today, can't!

[@Purple_flower09]

The data shows that the UK is not more homophobic than Germany and other western European countries. And central eastern European countries are much more homophobic.

[@Purple_flower09]

The UK is not more homophobic than Germany. Plenty of data for those who look for it.

[@SimonLeBonBelge]

Hi Benjamin, thanks for this very well thought-through article. My wife and I were talking about the very same issues just a few days and coming to similar conclusions (although we'd probably have a lively discussion on whether homeschooling is ultimately a good idea or not). We were both born in the early 1960's in Northern Enlish towns which were starting to really struggle by the mid 1970's. (The destitution in one of those towns is now extremely worrying.) We both were able to go to University (where we met) because the government of the day provided us with grants. My university education was fully paid for by the country - it's almost unbelieve to imagine that now, and I am extremely grateful for it! We both got good degrees and jobs in London afterwards. We loved being in London but found it horribly expensive there, although we did manage eventually to purchase a small house somewhat outside London. We also bumped into the English class system, which can be perturbing, but we brushed it off because you cannot and should not take it seriously. I remember being at a meeting in the City where someone turned on me, presumably after hearing my accent, and asked me where I came from. On receiving my honest reply, he said, out loud, "how on earth does someone from ***** get a job in London?" He then walked off, apparently, outraged. Soon after, an opportunity to move to Continental Europe came along. Given that the UK was still in the same EU club in those days (I'll be careful not to turn this into a Brexit discussion), it seemed like a good idea, and we took it. That was 35 years ago, and we are still there. Long story short, we both thrived, our 4 children were born there, are completely bilingual and are also now finding their way in life.....with a much bigger pool of possibilities to go at. No regrets at all. We are currently visiting Toronto which is the most amazing melting pot of cultures I have ever experienced. You can feel the positive energy and the endless possibilities as you walk around the streets. It is a rwal breath of fresh air where people from all backgrounds and cultures happily work hard together to create a better future. Sorry this has been so long, but I just wanted to agree with you and provide a positive example of what you are talking about. If your home country is letting you down for whatever reason, don't ever hesitate to walk out and make a better life somewhere else. You will not be the first.

[@britingermany]

Hello Simon. Thanks so much for sharing. It's great to hear these stories and probably inspiring for others who might read the comments.I have to say I still do feel very British, I feel connected to the land (as in the countryside, the rolling green hills, the English oak trees the wild heaths of Wales and the dry stone walls of Yorkshire) but it's just difficult to make a decent living there.

[@undeadwerewolves9463]

Almost same here, I’m form the North, I have a Yorkshire accent I wouldn’t be surprised if a Londoner insulted me over that lol I just visited London a few days ago actually, went to the natural history museum for a day and was blown away by its beauty. Anyway I think I’m going to head out of the UK should the chance arrive. I know for a fact our school system didn’t do me any good and if I do have children in the future I wouldn’t want to have them here.

[@pauljones5066]

Grammar schools with 11+ selection and state funding were a brilliant mechanism for creating real social mobility for working/ lower-middle class kids. There are so many examples but I would cite people like Harold Wilson and Ted Hughes and Michael Parkinson

[@britingermany]

Right my father raves about the grammar school...I do think education has gone downhill since his time....things just seem watered down and of a lower quality. Going to university for example used to be for those who were academically minded, who really enjoyed learning and studying....not quite like that anymore

[@leeklass3907]

Where I live the 11 + still exists there are still grammar schools my family moved from the North West in the 1980's we moved to Southend on Sea. There no were grammar schools due the looney left politics with local authorities in the area.

[@pauljones5066]

every family in the UK should have this chance@@leeklass3907

[@denisezachar9877]

That’s interesting. I studied Master’s degree in psychology of education here in the UK and we were taught that Grammar schools were closed due to creating more inequality. I thought it extremely odd at that time and because I didn’t know much about them, I didn’t challenge that idea. Glad someone else sees it this way. Here in Bristol, all grammar schools were turned into very expensive independent schools! Surely that creates more inequality!

[@beltingtokra]

I went to a grammar school! To be honest, looking back loads of the kids had been to prep school beforehand sadly, so many kids I was at (normal) primary school with didn't get places... there should be proportional representation to help ensure social mobility still exists, grammar schools are really good but loads of smart kids miss out and I think this is part of the problem 😢

[@seanrowe3622]

Hi everyone, I can only portray my experience in the uk as good, born in Nottinghamshire 1962, working class background, immigrant Irish father, Welsh mother, both very supportive, left school with little or no education! Desperately trying to find something to engage my lack of interest in most jobs within local industries, After being encouraged by my parents to find something that I would be passionate about I started a apprenticeship in a local car body repair shop, to cut a long story short I went on to own my business that although was never meant to be a multi million pound enterprise, It served me well and throughout all the difficulties and hardships! worked out in the end, I personally think that the stability and encouragement of my unselfish parents helped me to achieve this, and turn around what could have easily have been a life of uncertainty and disappointment! I wish everyone could have the advantage or a loving caring family to support future generations in their dreams, cheers S.

[@britingermany]

Thank you for sharing Sean. That sounds great 👍🏻

[@Rhino11111111]

You were born into the boom. People are struggling to even get a mortgage these days never mind a business loan.

[@malthusXIII-fo3ep]

@@Rhino11111111 Haha...get real, there was no boom in the 1970's...only sky high taxes and inflation at 27% rocketing unemployment and only dead end, low paid jobs on offer. And years of anarchy union strikes. Bankrupt state industry. It was a grim, miserable era of socialist decay and economic stagnation.

[@trydowave]

I went to a comprehensive in the 1980s and 90s. Its always been like this as far as i can remember.

[@harmonizedigital.]

A lot of educated people in the UK are worse off than people who went into the trades. It is much easier to find work in the trades. Finding a job in IT is impossible.

[@LawrenceTimme]

Agreed.

[@ALADDIN22091978]

If one is educated with degree or degrees and can’t do a trade bit can’t work in retail and can’t drive and do not have contacts and can’t move out of the family home to an area where are there are jobs .

[@jonathanjonathan7386]

mass immigration of thousands and thousands of indian IT professionals have fucked up the chances for many native IT graduates.

[@whatnextincomo]

What do you mean by educated? Went to uni? My carpenter here in Italy happens to have a degree in philosophy. Learning a trade does not preclude being educated.

[@harmonizedigital.]

@@whatnextincomo most construction workers did not go to university. Statistically speaking.

[@valuetraveler2026]

How is this a golden age for freedom? I would say if anything that peaked in 2019. Agree otherwise that Germany offers more opportunities and is intrinsically a fairer society (no kings no impenetrable class system, no empire delusion) that the failed state of the UK.

[@britingermany]

as in the digital age - anyone can start anything they want online for free.

[@JuergenAschenbrenner]

You tend to post a lot of good stuff, this one here stands out for being insightful

[@britingermany]

Thank a lot Jürgen 🙏

[@Purple_flower09]

The UK has had a Conservative government in power for 14 years. By definition and despite what they claim, the Conservatives are against social mobility on principle. Real terms spending on education in the UK was sharply reduced after the relatively well funded education system we had under Blair and Brown. The UK is in my view desperately in need of radical change and especially to outdated political systems and institutions. The rot goes much deeper than the voting system. Despite all that the UK does have s lot of assets. For example uk tech companies sold £2.4 billion of tech services to Germany in 2023.

[@ALADDIN22091978]

One caveat , Labour in 1997, established tuition fees in 1997, used to be free , invested in short start schemes . They started the tuition fees system, the Tory’s have made it worse . They assumed , especially in the past , less so , being a graduate gets a great income , increasingly lots of graduates can’t achieve great returns , maybe 50% do not get graduate jobs , disproportionately those from poorer backgrounds.

[@stumac869]

Humanity, you do understand the Labour government bankrupted the country in 2008 and that's why the coalition (it wasn't a Conservative government) had to make cut backs to reduce the spending deficit which was £350 billion in the red. What would you suggest should've done?

[@piggypiggypig1746]

The Tories haven't been conservative for a least 28 years. They're a Blairite government. For something resembling conservatism, people are now turning to alternative parties.

[@ALADDIN22091978]

@@piggypiggypig1746 the Tory’s were a right wing liberal , one nation party , since the EU referendum & especially Boris Johnson as a PM, more like a far right populist party.

[@piggypiggypig1746]

@@ALADDIN22091978 No far-right party would allow 750,000 migrants into the country last year. No, they're a socialist party through and through. Very little to distinguish them from Labour.

[@web_jar6630]

I am from India, I suspect the same to be the case with the country I am originally from as well.

[@trevorloughlin1492]

The Indian caste system has remarkable similarities. Unlike Germany and other enlightened Western nations, in the UK employers imports skills and will not train anyone British. Unless they are related of course.

[@web_jar6630]

@@trevorloughlin1492 I think it has got more to do with democratic institutions such as media and social welfare such as access to high quality education rather than the caste system.

[@michaeljosephjackson2364]

​@@web_jar6630it's a mix of both

[@ianlang6058]

I left the UK in 2012 at the age of 48 after spending four futile years trying to buy my children back in the family courts. Since then, I've lived and worked in Austria, Germany, Denmark, France and Sweden. And notwithstanding the loss of my children, the pain of which never leaves me and whom, of course, I wanted to raise, I wouldn't change it now. I've learned German and French to a reasonable level (who says you can't learn a language in middle age?), bought a flat and found a little Moroccan lady to be with. My children are now grown up and hopefully I can find them and bring them over to France or Austria one day for some time together. I just need to figure out a public place where one of them goes where I can walk up and say hello. In respect of the difficulties you mention of youngsters achieving social mobility, I never stop thinking about what has happened to them. They were, after all raised in a broken home, on benefits, with no father and only one set of grandparents. They have been denied so much. Thanks to the wisdom of a British judge. Sadly such crimes are not unique to the UK, as many Ukrainian families are now discovering to their cost in Germany for example, or Syrian families in Sweden. Keep making your videos. I enjoy their thoughtfulness.

[@britingermany]

Thank you for taking the time to share. That sounds absolutely brutal. I do hope that you manage to reconcile things in some way. Take care of yourself

[@irminschembri8263]

It is a tragic fact, that poverty paralyzes ! When your mind is set on finding ways to survive there is little room for anything else. And neither UK's strange voting system aka FPTP nor the limited access to "good " education are helpful either. Just look at who voted for Brexit and why. And frankly I don't believe that the pandemic had a bigger effect on the loss of social mobility than Brexit or the social class one was born into. After all it hit every European country and not every European country is faced with UK's problems re the gap between those who have and those who don't. Btw the UK is the only country I could HEAR which class the person I talked to belonged to.

[@britingermany]

I think Covid just accelerated and exacerbated underlying problems which were already there. And so while Covid affected everyone other countries were better equipped to deal with it and come out the other side in a stronger position

[@alia9087]

Because my kids were not brought up in the UK, when they do go there people think they are "posh". It is only because they do not have any regional accent. Such a shame we judge so quickly in the UK when we hear accents

[@lynnm6413]

@@alia9087 I believe the same is true in Germany to some extend, that Native speakers will hear clearly which region you come from and absolutely judge people who are unwilling/unable to switch between relational Dialekt and German RP (Hochdeutsch). Especially the Saxon-, Saxon-Thuringian- and Berlin Accents will raise eyebrows, and are cemented in the German psyche as lesser. Thing is, as a non-native speaker we will have problems understanding certain dialects, it we were not raised with the cultural and social implications, so the judgement just isn’t there. For my part, my first native English experience besides German (Oxford) English teachers was in Scotland, Perthshire….and it is to this day the Englishthat gives me the most pleasure listening to, also the easiest, even though that seems counterintuitive.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

​​@@lynnm6413 +1 Great comment on Germany, brava 👏. Same in every country - France (home), Italy...etc. etc. After 35 years living and working in France we now hear the accents at last. 🇨🇵🇪🇺

[@alia9087]

@@lynnm6413 I am in Germany and agree there are some accents I do not understand a word. Thing is my kids who were brought up here will understand them but will tell me they come from .... and it will be a strong dialect. I do have a friend who will occasionally speak Plat Deutsch to me and I understand nothing

[@strenter]

Anybody can do as you suggested. But not everybody. (I tried to find the right translation from German. Hope it works.) Travelling is educating. The less touristy, the better. Travellers that get to know countries realize quite quickly that they are foreigners nearly everywhere on the world and hopefully come to the conclusion not to agitate against foreigners when they return.

[@britingermany]

Right, yes. I think so much can be learned by traveling to foreign lands. Some people will say this is only for the rich but there are actually many ways to do it on a budget (aupair, woofing, volenteering etc)

[@valuetraveler2026]

true

[@reecephillips2003]

A surprisingly positive message and a great video. I'm 20 and I hate living in the UK, I've looked into getting abroad via work sponsorships and I didn't find anything I could apply for. I'm a student nearing the end of my undergraduate studies and feeling extremely uncertain about my future. Ideally I would be able to get out of the country permanently, I find many aspects of life here repulsive (FPTP voting system, multiple unelected leaders, voter suppression targeting younger voters, rampant xenophobia etc.). It's hard for me to find something positive to say about the country itself. I'll never understand the fiercely patriotic individuals that adore this country, why love a country that does absolutely nothing for you? To contribute to trying to understand why so many feel social mobility is impossible I think we can examine an interesting contradiction. People complaining about their jobs is ubiquitous, "Monday's am I right?". So many people feel overworked and underpaid, yet, a lot of those same people who complain about their jobs seethe when someone doesn't work or begin a conversation about benefits being abused. There's a culture of misery surrounding work but people continue to value others based on their employment status. With this, there's maybe an element of not wanting to be shamed for not working and simply staying in a job you hate or else moving into another job you hate. Why as a nation do we despise AND worship work? If what you said is true, that we need to go against the grain and try new things to achieve social mobility, then there's no wonder people are stuck considering the financial and social barriers hindering our mobility.

[@britingermany]

I see it is a learned helplessness. If all you've ever known are people who hate their jobs and talk about how much they hate their jobs and don't try to do anything to change then that behaviour becomes a deeply engrained habit. I don't know what you are studying but try not to feel pressured into starting a career right away. Your 20's are for experiments and making mistakes. You could to the work and travel thing in Australia or Canada or volunteering in Costa Rica or Asia...you never know what a new environment and different people might "awaken" in you

[@malthusXIII-fo3ep]

How do you feel about the ongoing racist murders of WHITE people? Diversity in crisis.

[@deborahhobbins7131]

if you want to earn over 50 grand forget it, they take half off you in tax, I am sick of working for the government and I am 66, but why should I sit idle because of this insane tax system? How do these politicians get so rich? they must be into tax avoiding

[@cerdicw9998]

But taxes are higher in places like Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, etc yet they have a higher standard of living…

[@YvonneHoerde]

@@cerdicw9998 It all depends on. what is done with the taxes....

[@rimanb]

Latvia also has a massive discrepancy between the capitol and everywhere else. Half of the entire country lives around the capitol, feels like one of ancient Greek city-states

[@britingermany]

Oh really. Thanks for pointing that out haven’t visited Latvia yet

[@rimanb]

It can be nice to visit, although not very exciting. The Old Town (mostly) survived World Wars, beaches are nice during the 4 weeks of Summer, and contryside is quite relaxing. Sadly I won't be able to show you around, as I also moved to Germany.

[@TheGc13psj]

Have you watched Gary's Economics's videos? He's a former trader who attributes the UK's situation to increasing inequality as the core problem, not an incidental outcome. His solution is to tax the ultra rich.

[@britingermany]

No I haven't actually. Thanks for mentioning that - although everyone knows that the ultra rich just move elsewhere if the taxes get too high. I'll check him out

[@TheGc13psj]

​@@britingermanyHe actually addresses the idea that the ultra rich can just move. He goes through how their wealth is mostly in assets not money. And the majority of assets arn't moveable. You can't pick up a house and take it somewhere. And even gold and paintings are difficult and slow to move. So even if they fled, or stayed, either way they would have to liquidate some assets here. And with every ultra rich doing that, that forces prices down and into move affordable territory for the middle and lower class, improving finantial equality. I'm probs not doing his arguments service, but I'll be interrested to see what you think either way :)

[@shrunkensimon]

Repatriate all the hidden wealth in British offshore jurisdictions, that was funnelled through the City. We could potholes made of gold.

[@valuetraveler2026]

how tax them? Income tax will not work. Taxing financial transactions is an idea

[@TheGc13psj]

@@valuetraveler2026 A wealth tax that includes asset wealth. Let's say like 1-10% of their wealth for anyone worth over £10 million. Enough to get a fair share from them, but also leaves them enough that compound interest would allow them to still be obscenely wealthy so they couldn't _really_ complain, although ofc they would anyway.

[@karimtabrizi376]

Excellent and timely video. We moved back to se england after covid and after 2 years i had to move abroad again as it was so expensive paying rent 3 bedroom house and bills. I have wife kids etc and the pressure it seems is so unhealthy on people. I do miss the outdoors and odd sense of humour tbh but quality of life is what one should strive for.

[@jorda_n_]

Lived in the UK for all my life so far… 27 years. I recently moved to Buckingham from Swindonto work at Silverstone Circuit and thankfully my employer covered my rent… things are getting more expensive each passing day from food to general activities. I’m finding it hard to find a reason to stay here truthfully, my mum is having to sell her house and will be a bit of early inheritance to fund some further savings… however I’m completing a TEFL course and exploring a country that appeals more to me. Like the phrase says ‘live to work’ very much applies in the UK… if I stay with my employer and even consider buying a property in the nicest area Silverstone/Buckingham… I’d be looking at a 1 bedroom flat approximately £150k at the least if I were to want a family etc £350k at least for a 3 bedroom terraced house (madness) moving has made me cut all my social ties and honestly the idea of working with a hot sunny beach within 30 miles sounds far more appealing than the dreary grind to get the social dream that seems far out of reach. I think the UK does have some good sides if you’re a creative individual but hard to justify being much of a creative since you’re bogged down with employment.

[@britingermany]

Hey thanks for sharing. Sounds like you're well prepared and at 27 the world is your Oyster as they say 😉

[@IDontKnow733]

I was born and raised in London (my parents originate from Nigeria) and I left London back in 2016. I would love to live and work in the city I was raised in around my family and friends however it just wasn't possible. I'm a graphic designer and finding decent paying design work was just near impossible, being paid £21,000 a year didnt give me that option to rent a place or save enough to buy a house, even switching to freelance work wasn't enough. I started applying for jobs abroad and manage to land a dream job with a brand in Germany which gave me the opportunity to leave the UK (in 2016, 6 months before brexit happend) and its the best decision I ever made. I'm in a point in my life were I'm finally able to do the things I couldn't afford to do (go on holidays, rent my own house, save money etc) and the biggest benifit which is a healthy work life balance which does not exisit in London.

[@ALADDIN22091978]

If one has late diagnosed conditions such as ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, autism , more than 2 after education, one is stuffed , unemployment, underemployment, degree or degrees. About 25% of autistic people are in paid employment . People with ADHD are disproportionately underemployed, the majority of people with ADHD do not work full time , high unemployment . There are successful ND people. I am aged 45, financial crisis started aged 29, recovery aged 35, lots of personal problems, resulted in a nervous breakdown broken in Covid aged 41, early 2020, more problems last few years .

[@AltIng9154]

Brits are keen to get a diagnosis? Happy to be classified to any sickness? I think most of the Germans who are sick in any case don't accept to be sick. I always fought against my sickness... even ignored it. And it was good for me. Even work can be therapy. No? Sitting around , nothing todo except thinking about my sickness would have surely killed me.

[@cesiumalloy]

Getting ahead has never been an option for 70% of the population......period!

[@MelOBrien-12]

Great video, I've always been fascinated by social mobility, and am so shocked to hear these stats though it doesn't surprise me. UK life is... interesting right now - I spent time living in Spain last year and though the wages are also quite low there, the cost of living is more relative. Here, wages are low (I saw that 75% of earners earn below £40k and I would argue that is the absolute minimum to lead a comfortable life), healthy workplace culture/practices aren't prioritised, so it feels a little doom and gloom. I probably wouldn't relocate to Spain permanently, but I hear great things about Germany and The Netherlands though! I'll check out more of your videos.

[@britingermany]

Yeah I'm always shocked when I see UK job adverts posting salaries of like 35K a year as if that's an attraction?! Unbelievable

[@LawrenceTimme]

Unless you live down south in some mega posh area £40k a year is hardly breadline minimum. What are you smoking m8. 😂😂

[@RFE-jl6lo]

Hey , just wanted to let you know your vids are amazing. Also here in Bulgaria we also have huge discrepancy in prosperity between capital city and rest of the country - and that is only growing.

[@miyagiFTNS]

Interesting, the grandparents having an interest in their grandchild's welfare did not apply to me, as even though they were both professionals they did not involve themselves in the wellbeing of their children.

[@DanielEdwards-]

Wealth inequality is the biggest problem. Super rich people own all the assets that used to belong to the middle class. The middle class are being hollowed out right now. Unless wealth moves in the opposite direction, from the rich to the poor this situation will only get worse. There is no incentive for the government to tax rich people’s passive income through assets and ownership of our debt, only poor people’s income from working.

[@Rhino11111111]

This is the biggest issue with the U.K. right now. Super rich just sitting on assets not contributing to the economy and not paying much tax due to tax laws. We need to change from an income tax system to a wealth tax system to stop this wealth inequality. The middle and working class don’t have much spare change these days and it’s effecting the economy for the worse. But things won’t change because the very guy running the country ia taking advantage of his wealth with these tax laws.

[@David-bi6lf]

You should watch Garys economics. I agree for a start even capital gains tax is far lower and not progressive like income tax. Other countries have CGT much more in line with income tax. Here actually working for your money is punished in comparison. Tory obsession with neo liberal economics and the so called trickle down.

[@Rhino11111111]

@@David-bi6lf been waiting for this wealth to trickle down to me for 35 years now 😂

[@alistairrobinson3865]

Great video! 🙏It’s all very sad unfortunately, I spent 13 years in Netherlands and then moved back to Uk in 2022, it’s a mess, truly shocking, rapidly accelerating inequality, huge poverty, horrific public services, total brainwashing of the public, close minded, entitled, xenophobic etc toxic politics, even the nice people. My personal circumstances are very good, from a working class northern background but got good education, career etc via hard work and huge amounts of luck, is stressful to be here even though my situation is comfortable. I just feel so sorry for people but do my best to help family & friends as much as possible. I think you definitely need a positive mindset to achieve but honestly it was way easier when I started 17 years ago and now think the majority of people literally will be trapped because the system / infrastructure here is broken. I will probably spend 5-10 years here working, saving etc but eventually will leave again to fulfill my dream of living in the EU once more.

[@britingermany]

That tough, but also sounds like you’re proof that it’s still possible to change your circumstances through hard work and education 👍🏻

[@maiakalina3840]

Following 10 years in the UK I’m now very happy to be leaving. I found that as a foreign woman my social mobility has been extremely limited, particularly after brexit I could feel the attitude towards foreigners shift for the worse

[@abrin5508]

I don't understand the economic mechanics of it but I do know I got a similar job in Denmark for x 2 my UK salary and then one in USA for x 3 my equivalent UK salary. Pay is poor compared to some other nations for certain professions.

[@britingermany]

Yes exactly. Pay is very low in the UK

[@eXclusive1]

Excellent video…I have been wondering about upward mobility for some time. I earned £100k plus as a digital contractor for the financial year 22/23 but the economy has taken a hit so had only a 5 week stint in November. I personally have been trying to get my startup going but self financing has been difficult if not in an active contract. It is especially the case in the UK where certain types seem to gain all of the venture capital and angel investment. However I will be incorporating in Delaware US to hopefully attract the bigger fish in the UK. For me being working class to a single mum (black British) it was been a struggle and continues but I can’t let those gatekeepers stand in my way.

[@britingermany]

Wow! Sounds exciting. Wish you all the best with the start up

[@pulchralutetia]

Abolish the monarchy, Lord Chancellorship, FPTP and House of Frauds. Cut Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and NI loose. Declare an English Republic with a written constitution, bill of rights, PR elections, an elected head of state and proper separation of powers.

[@jim-es8qk]

yes, i probably agree with what you are saying. But in England we are free individuals!!

[@bendjohans3863]

i wish you happy Easter and all the best, sadly drowning in work these days so im less active in here keep up the great work

[@britingermany]

Thanks a lot but don’t over do it. Remember to keep what’s important on focus 😀🐣

[@AlbertoMartinez-sb1rj]

Even with those problems Germany is not much better off for social mobility, with two bedroom flats in Berlin or Munich doubling or tripling the price of those in similar locations in London.

[@KevinTalbotTV]

I was on 75% tax if you include all taxes. No way am I paying that for a crumbling country of crime so i left

[@madhousemusic3]

Fleeing is literally the reason this all happens in the first place. People leave and go and colonise other countries playing right into the hand of their oppressors. When will the public decide to make it harder to be predated upon? People are working to get into debt… it seems all sense has left

[@markwhite267]

Hi. Interesting topic. I think the situation will get worse for many, as outside factors like A.I/automation come into play.

[@britingermany]

maybe for those that don't take responsibility for their situation. For those that are curious and explore their interest in new tech I think they will be fine

[@nezzam100]

That's why Bliar and Chamaeleon launched their pogrom on Grammar schools because they WERE the best vehicle to help social mobility and gave the brightest plebs as good an education as public schools.

[@billyliar1614]

There may be the tantalising promise of opportunity dangled like a carrot but the UK is still very classist and gate-kept when it comes to pursuing a career, getting a house, therefore starting a family and basically getting a stake in the social dominance hierarchy. The mass of the population is thrown the crumbs. Along with intergenerational wealth inequality, it's a kind of apartheid really. Above all else, the thing which is blighting the lives of Millenials is housing insecurity, something which other countries seem to have got a grip on. The political elite doesn't govern in my view, it pursues policies - an extreme unregulated market - which benefit the richest at the expense of the population, such as allowing an unregulated private housing market or allowing rail, energy companies and universities to rip us off. And I'm sorry, but mass immigration is a huge problem. They enable high levels of immigration because it benefits them financially through high rents and because employers don't have to invest in skills training or pay better wages and they introduce a climate of repression/moral blackmail to control what we can say about it. The UK elite/bourgeoise has turned in on it's own population and is feeding upon them, as we always knew they would. What do we have to look forward to if we stay ? A lifetime of job and housing insecurity, poverty, social division, a crumbling infrastructure, high crime and no pension or health care at the end of it. I could go on. What we need in the UK is genuine political reform, the destruction of First Past the Post and the introduction of Proportional Representation , given that we've had the same Neo-liberal/Woke elite in power, the same self-serving career politicians and the same 2 for 1 democracy for the past 40 years.

[@britingermany]

I hear you. But if the problem is politics and the elite why do think the solution will also come form there? To me that is madness. The only way to improve your life is to take responsibility for it and make changes that benefit you. Only you knows what is best for you. The politicians couldn't care less and political reform won't change that.

[@billyliar1614]

@@britingermany I agree up to a point. From a selfish perspective, yes you try and weigh up whether anywhere else is likely to offer you a better deal and move if there if it will. However, I guess what prevents most people from doing that is the uncertainty that anywhere else would in fact be any better for them personally or just present a different set of problems, given that we are tied into the UK system and that everywhere to varying degrees is subject to the same conditions of global economics and corporate interests. Tribalism still exists within nations which tend to have a sense of collective self-interest, even if their governments are more corporate/globalist in outlook. It is I guess about what skills you have to bring to another country as to whether it's feasible to move but this can't apply to everyone and there will come a point where if we want things to improve for us, rather than run we will have to find a way as a people to mobilise politically and take control of our society from those who are trashing it. But yes I take your point that that doesn't look likely in the immediate term so the individual should try and size up what is best for them on a personal level. I would recommend living in a different area as a right of passage for everyone but there is also strength to be gained from rootedness, one of the core elements of capital being the strength of one's social networks. Tribal and family roots are not insignificant, despite the brainwashing of the corporate globalists.

[@IshtarNike]

What amazes me about comments like this is how it can be so spot on. And then conflate Neo-Liberal and Woke as if they're the same thing. The Tory party have been in power for 14 years. Are they also part of this Woke Elite??? Wtf?😅

[@sim6699]

@@billyliar1614 I don't agree! How can you change a system by asking the people who benefit from it. The ruling elite appear to despise the average Joe, far from listening to us, they're far more likely to take us to war or bring in a digital currency and controls like China. Are British citizens right increasing or decreasing in the last 20 years?

[@cpkingadam5]

I'd love to move abroad, especially as someone who already speaks German and French, but I know even with a bachelors I'd never qualify for a visa as I'm not skilled enough. The post-Brexit barriers are so high for anyone without the money for a Golden Visa.

[@britingermany]

It depends what field you are in. If you are a native English speaker you could get a job teaching English they are always looking for people but I know that’s not for everyone

[@Swissvistas-fz9ey]

As I mentioned in another of your recent videos, I think that certain attitudes displayed by the Royal Family and the ruling aristocracy have their roots in feudal times. The concept of "trespassing" while hiking is hardly a problem in continental Europe, as much of the land is government-owned i.e. public land. Unlike most of Europe, where stifling old-school social structures linked to former kingdoms and aristocracy, designed to keep simple citizens down, were thrown out of the window: think uprisings. France is the most blatant example. Britain still has a very marked social class system that literally prevents upward mobility - a glass ceiling of sorts. Already the fact that you're judged by your English accent in England (personal experience) confirms this fact, not to mention the manifest necessity of having a degree from one of the historical prestigious universities, preferably Oxford or Cambridge, to get the good jobs. In this respect, most European countries heavily subsidize university studies, thus enabling even those from poorer backgrounds to have a chance of climbing the professional ladder - or provide a sound and respected vocational training system. Not in the UK: it seems to me that "old money" and related aristocratic control patterns in the UK intentionally prevent the mass of the population from improving their education level and thus living standards. It's thus no surprise that the English were booted out of America a few centuries ago. Although I have a healthy respect for the English Royal Family, I feel that the entire setup is totally outdated, and should be toned down considerably, as it was in countries such as Denmark and Sweden: no tax money for those self-entitled people. Britain has always been, and still is a very hard place to live in for the vast majority of the population.

[@stellahanzaklewis1768]

I am scared of leaving London but by doing so potentially becoming mortgage free in my 30s-looking to still work but over time reduce this/do things on my own terms. I wish financial litany was taught in school.

[@CarlosdeFrance]

Great video. You should like Gary Stevenson's videos on inequality in the UK

[@britingermany]

Thanks...I haven't heard of him

[@CarlosdeFrance]

@@britingermany his book The Trading Game is a page turner, it was just released and is number 1. He is very critical of the UK situation

[@TheyCalledMeT]

"multi generational status/class seems to be far more important than accounted for" and here i am .. my grandfathers dead before i was born, grandmas a couple years into my early teens dead and my parents with zero connections/drive ... *yay me*

[@britingermany]

I didn't know my grandparents well either. Of course it helps but if you change your environment, make new friends com into contact with new people you'd be surprised how quickly things can change. I think it's termed social mobility, because mobility is almost always required. It's very difficult to break out of a culture while you are still in it

[@LawrenceTimme]

I agree parents need to actually parent and teach their children where schools are failing them outside of school.

[@cfc1001001cfc]

Your commentary on the British Aristocracy makes me think that the French of the 1780's had the right idea when it comes to dealing with those that were born with noble titles. For my home country, the U.S. Constitution explicitly prohibits titles of nobility in Article I, Section 9, Clause 8. This clause states: “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” Sadly, that leaves any a$$hole with enough $$$ to rush in to fill the void.

[@undeadwerewolves9463]

Ok I’m a young lass from The UK, 22 Years old. I come from a working class family in an old forgotten mining town in the North of England. I didn’t really do that great in school as I have some learning difficulties and experienced teasing and bullying. As a result of my time in that school I have very low confidence… and poor mental health with depression. I did go to college and I finished it with a high graded Art Diploma. I didn’t really get to finish the course properly because of Covid. My final project was never completed due to how different and difficult working from home was. My other units I completed were A’s and even though I had nothing to present for my final project, I was still given a high grade thankfully. My 2-3 years of college were not discarded and forgotten. I was convinced by many and told I should go to University and get an Art Degree but I was talked out of it because of the *life long debt* I would have been in. The Job I had thought about and wanted to do has very few openings so it wasn’t a guarantee I’d have been able to go there even with an Art Degree. I’m stuck at the moment. I’m out of college and out of options. After much thought I had tried for the Army Reserves on two open days because I wanted to learn real life skills but unfortunately due to me missing my right eye I was not able to and so I scrapped that idea. My plan B was to leave the country and start a new. Sounds extreme but I cannot stay here anymore, all of my family is here yes but I have few friends. I don’t wake up with motivation to be here. I took an interest in Germany and learning German during lockdown (boredom and far too much time on my hands). I feel such a strong pull towards this place like I’ve never felt before in my life, it motivates me and makes me look forward to my day when I’m learning the language and watching German KZbinrs or playing in video games with my German friends. I couldn’t help but realise well if it motivates me and makes me this happy why don’t I move there and try to find work and stay there? I feel like it could make me really happy. I get such a buzz whenever speaking in German to my friends and I understand every word they say to me and they understand when I speak to them. If that was my job I’d be terrified but excited. I wouldn’t care much what it was Jobs-wise, just being in that environment. I visited Germany for the first time last year in November 2023 and it was the happiest I’ve been in years. I joked to my friend who was showing me around, I don’t care if we sit on a bench or in a café for the day just being in that environment and hearing everyone speaking German around me just would make my day. I’ve grown up in England without the chance to learn a second language but I had polish classmates in school and their “super power” of being able to talk another language fascinated me once. Now I can do it. I don’t know how I’d cope with being “the foreigner” but I’d definitely embrace it at first, please be patient with me I’m new here kind of thing… I feel like the chances for me for getting a job I will enjoy in the UK are low but if I chose to go elsewhere, to work my ass off to have the chance and try to stay somewhere else where I really wanted to be… Not just staying where I was born like everyone else does here, and I mean it, most do not leave this TOWN never mind the country itself. If I stayed where I choose to be I’d be happier. I’ve never had the choice until now, until leaving school and becoming an adult. I love my country and my town but I’ve become more and more aware of the idea “you need to leave your town before it becomes impossible to do so” and really yeah, the opportunities here aren’t that great. Still a lot of that is to do with my lack of qualifications. I still fear that I won’t even make it over there because they want “skilled workers” well I’m not a Doctor. I’ve looked into training though. I could take a course over there and get qualified for something and then have the chance to work there. I think first to get me use to that I’d start with a language course and get a certificate for that and then try to go for a work training course for well… I’m not sure what yet. But I’m hoping with my native English speaking skill and also then German speaking at roughly a B1-2 I could be ok. But yeah climbing out of this mess isn’t easy when you’ve not got the best start in life. (I had eye cancer as a 3 year old child that gave me issues from the start). My parents aren’t that well off so I’m on my own in this endeavour. We’ll see. Could be just another crazy dream. At least I can say I tried though if things do not work out. I learnt myself German and then took small classes and I’ve surprised myself with that, I can do the things I put my mind to. Your channel is one of a few that inspire me to keep going with the dream. Hearing your struggles and triumphs gives me a realistic outlook and makes me prepared for what I know I will not find easy to handle about moving there. So even though this comment is unbelievably long I hope it gives you an idea of one of the people you help with your videos.

[@DevonExplorer]

I really enjoyed reading your comment and would like to wish you every success in succeeding with your move to Germany. It takes a lot of guts and I hope you get there. Cheers. :)

[@britingermany]

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this comment. It is very inspiring. It sounds like you have found a real passion with German and I think you should explore that curiosity. It won’t be easy but then again the hardest things in life are often the most rewarding. I wish you all the best with the move if you decide to go ahead with it 😀

[@undeadwerewolves9463]

@@britingermany thank you! Its definitely worth pushing yourself into new situations that might not be comfortable. It could unlock some hidden Potential 😊 if not it will be a hell of an experience!

[@undeadwerewolves9463]

@@DevonExplorer glad you did, I hoped it wasn't too much Info but yeah I'm looking forward to leaping into something new. Even just trying it is worth everything to me. 😊 Thanks for the good wishes!

[@YvonneHoerde]

The main. problem I see here are your qualifications. But you are still seen as very young here when you are 22. Would you consider learning a trade? Or studying once more? Art studies do not translate in a desired qualification very well....We need kindergardeners, we need electricians, we need nurses and doctors here. Teachers might also get something here. It might become easier for you, as. a native speaker of. English...

[@BAmalakas]

Tax wealth not work, tax wealth not work, tax wealth not work, tax wealth not work, tax wealth not work, tax wealth not work, tax wealth not work, tax wealth not work, tax wealth not work.

[@os3990]

Great video. Jobs in London are the key. I am able to earn a very high wage (for my age) due to shortage of skilled labour in London. My longer tern plan is to live abroad 6 months each year. Interesting you brought up home schooling - my wife and I are very interested in this, rather than put our children through the rigid school system (based on creating factory workers are everyone knows).

[@chocolatejellybean2820]

disagree I'm in Asia for decades and people work harder and it's more Competitive and there is no room for mediocrity. there are light employment laws so competition is tight. opposite for the UK where there is strata for everyone or there was in back in my reference period of 1990s taxi drivers, builders did as well as professionals and it may still be the case thirty years on. certainly wealth via employment is capped due to tax compared to Asia but that has been made up for via property ownership (until recently)

[@britingermany]

Things have changed a lot since then. If you look at government approval rates even from the early 2000’s they were very high…higher than Germany. Now the U.K. has sunk to the lowest levels of trust in the G7 Countries and with good reason

[@LawrenceTimme]

I'd agree with you. Its easier to make it up the ladder in the UK than Asia or USA for example , because in the UK while everyone is moaning and whining you can get your head down and pass them whereas in Asian countries where many have been poor and they are willing to do anything to bring themselves and family out of poverty with great strength and determination the competition is far greater. Same goes for the USA. I've seen way more people in the USA working extra jobs to get ahead than here. They just have a much better attitude and work ethic.

[@xelakram]

Happy Easter!

[@britingermany]

Same to you 😀🐣

[@xelakram]

@@britingermany 👍🏻

[@spankeyfish]

The last social mobility data I saw was from the 2010s and we were the only developed country with lower mobility than the USA.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

"Lords, Dukes", Slavers. 😊

[@richardwills-woodward]

The number involved in any capacity with the slave trade in Britain was just...3,000 people. That's all. The rest of the world in the millions and the British stopped the trade, thank goodness. I do get tired of my background being touted as slave traders. It was a tiny part of the economy despite the propaganda. Not to say you are labelling in that way, I am making a wider point.

[@HeartNDagger18]

There’s only one Lord and thats Lord Jesus Christ, I mean the audacity to call oneself a lord when you are a mere human being.

[@richardwills-woodward]

@@HeartNDagger18 It is not ordained by oneself. Lord has more than one meaning. It holds significance too. In the current context it should boast a wisdom gained through experience, sadly that part is seldom so today. Try to pick up a history book or two.

[@niallmcdonagh1093]

You have ignored the elephant in the room ( something non-British Isles viewers won't get)...it is all about accent...in the UK/Ireland accent defines and categorises you.... from entrance to nightclubs to acceptance in the boardroom) it's just the way it is....accept it...or leave...

[@carlgreene538]

I cannot get out of my situation no matter how much I try!

[@rafski-travels-1984]

I left 12 years ago, best decision I made

[@alicequayle4625]

Check out Gary's Economics.. he talks a lot about the problem that inequality is causing. His last one was about how unequal countries like Britain generally have one or a few massive cities where the rich people live, surrounded by slums of poor people there to work for the rich people. In the uk large areas are economically abandoned since the 80s, and people moved to the South. Now apparently even London is turning into slums. Whereas in equal societies wealth is spread out and there are lots of nice small towns. He said something like "unequal societies dont have nice towns for ordinary people, they have slums for ordinary people."

[@malthusXIII-fo3ep]

London is a hollowed out welfare city thanks to importing third world poverty.

[@pujapete3665]

get a trade using your hands ....worked out fine for me.left school at 15,no gov handouts,self employed since 23 till i retired at 60.no wife for most of it with no kids did help

[@fuerchtenichts]

1. Money does not equal happiness in life. For some people owning more simply means having a greater chance to loose something. 2. Strafing for knowledge leads to having two more new questions for every solved problem. 3. A university degree simply offers you to choose from a greater amount of shit piles to care for in your job.

[@britingermany]

1. The research is pretty clear on this. Money does equal happiness up to a point. If you cannot afford the basics - food shelter security this will consume you. The number varies between counties and situations but around 70K a year in western countries is the number where you can stop worrying about money issues and start focusing on other areas of life. 2. Yes - that is the riddle of life, to tap out of that is to stop living. 3. Yes University degrees are just status symbols these days - you can learn anything online but you might need a degree for the social networks and stamp of approval that it provides depending on what you want to do.

[@leeklass3907]

@@britingermany too many people have degrees that in subjects not useful for employment and employers finding it hard attract the correct calibre of candidates.

[@vinniechan]

The country needs a few more tax bracket 50k is about the income you are jusr breaking into the middle so getting taxed 40% on any marginal gain is absurd Being in the middle is the worst place to be - not poor enough to get welfste not earning enough to not care how much you get taxed Getting funds to invest in the country more is one of the way if its going to take a while to trickle upwards There is no quick fix

[@radiojet1429]

Great video. Every TV show and film I've watched over the last few years (including The Crown) makes the British class system seem intractable. Your accent, your village, what your father's name is, etc. seem to go before you wherever you venture. For example, Yorkshiremen are always portrayed as backwards and surly , the Welsh as unsophisticated and atavistic, the Midlands as poor, working-class and shabby and London has no ethnic British people actually living in it. These attitudes are reinforced over and over again by the British film and TV industry.

[@holger_p]

In Germany almost the same negative claims are made, and since most of them are exaggerations, I don't take them for serious. But in UK it seems to be serious, if there are UN studies around it. I still think, education is most influenced by your motivation, discipline, engagement, maybe talent. (Unless lessons are really canceled due to sick teachers or whatever). Educated parents most often support with more motivation to learning, but this is not "stupid" parents don't have the chance, they just don't do it, cause they are stupid. In some cases wealth might help with auxiliary teachers or buying a book. A private school is kind of the easier way for personal care for each student, others have to apply self-care, or what I called it: engagement and discipline. It is hard to impossible, to measure chances by results. The difference is, to use the given chance. .. like sitting down do your homework.

[@LawrenceTimme]

There are loads of studies saying the UK is worse for these things because these types of people who conduct the studies are highly biased against the UK and are pro EU. Ever since we left they've been acting like the UK going to sink into the sea and we all drown. Its quite obvious to see and pathetic. The real reason the UK is getting worse is because the government are actively working against the average person for their own short term gains. They never think in long term.

[@HeadsFullOfEyeballs]

@@LawrenceTimme _"because these types of people who conduct the studies are highly biased against the UK and are pro EU"_ What's your claim here? They're faking the data? Deliberately picking metrics of economic success or inequality that make the UK look bad? Do you have an example of this happening?

[@jamesclarke5331]

Definitely the biggest hurdle for me moving is my friend network and my sons friend network

[@DGQ1Q2]

As a dual citizen by ancestry, I was living in Venezuela for 20 years, "before Venezuela lost the democracy and enter in the cavern age" Venezuela had a big social mobility why, the universities are public "funded with the tax of everybody" people struggling to feed themselves can find subsided food in the uni, and someone selling news paper with business vision can open branches. I did not see here in the UK the same social mobility Venezuela had years ago in democracy.

[@themajesticmagnificent386]

In Britain the class system is a big part of this..What I’ve seen in my fifty odd years is a vicious class system rise and it’s a system that’s fueled on sheer contempt for lower classes..Tories demand it and laugh at us lowers..This translates into keeping us down as those who somehow see this as their birthright,take more..I’ve also think the draining of funds from the lowers will also start draining from the middles.. Class isn’t talked about and overlooked and in denial..But though this subject is uncomfortable to many in the U.K..But it’s there and bigger than ever in its damaging effects..So denying and overlooking it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be talked about..All the best from Blighty👍

[@bendjohans3863]

and i would say that most people dont even know how much luck is shaping our life in so many ways but thats no reasons to fall into fatalism and not even try a few times ... if you dont try you cant fail but you cant win either

[@britingermany]

Exactly! Gotta give it a go

[@rjflores438]

The class system is as unequal as ever here in the UK.

[@matthewpayne5205]

Thanks for a very interesting video!

[@conniebruckner8190]

Hello, Coincidence would have it that I was just about to send you a link to a short news article that was published on the Deutsche Welle KZbin channel. Am not sure if the link is allowed. If not I shall send it per email. "Korrespondentin Annette Dittert lebt seit Jahren in Großbritannien. war immer wieder im Norden des Landes unterwegs, aber diese Drehreise hat sie schockiert. "

[@britingermany]

Ahhh ok. That title sounds quite familiar 🤣…I’ll search for it later. Thank you and happy Easter

[@stephenhetterley1699]

would move if I could

[@juicyfruit4378]

Getting ahead in the Social Ladder of Germany is just as difficult - it's just better hidden.

[@malthusXIII-fo3ep]

Grammar schools were the ultimate in social mobility. Poor children from council estates got up the ladder of opportunity and became well off and prosperous. Insanely, these schools were abolished by Labour politicians. Got those wonderful benefits themselves....then kicked the ladder away.

[@malthusXIII-fo3ep]

Just look at billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

[@britingermany]

A few people have mentioned the grammar schools here before. Educational reform is a pressing necessity but the government apparatus is too slow and clunky to keep up with the rate of change. ultimately education will have to move into the private sector...it#s already starting with further education