Living on the Line (1985)

[@telstar32]

The sad thing is we now sit here in 2024, and nothing much has changed.

[@juliejr]

And you know what the other sad thing is? There are people today who think the people from that generation had it good 😢 They have no idea 😢

[@janettemellor1572]

Your wrong people on some benefits are better of than people that work I'm surrounded by families on benefits there better of than me takeaways 3 times a week drinking smoking and doing very little else people couldn't find d work in the 80s there's work now 3xcuse ?¿¿

[@mongieman]

I work 6 days and struggle nowts changed

[@henchdan1]

They had it better. Average salary in 1985 was 14k per year, average house cost was 28-30k. At least they could afford houses back then. ​@@juliejr

[@juliejr]

@henchdan1 What you forget is that generation started with zero monies....Everything they had to be worked for it was only later people had access to credit (not saying going into debt is good but that is what a mortgage is )so if they started off with zero money they had zero to build on..people would never dream of expecting anything new to start up with...if you got a pack of tea towels and a toaster as a wedding gift you thought you'd done well. Benifits were extremely low, too..Most people didn't have a car and going on holiday was a dream for the majority of people.. so I think that average wage has been exaggerated ...

[@kickass9390]

I was 17 in 1985 we moved to Wales & I remember going into the job centre & having the pick of jobs, the walls were covered in open positions. I realise now how lucky I was .

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

My mate said the same he was 16 in 1984 and he said you could start a job on Monday leave on a Friday and have a new job by Monday and so on and so on. Until you found one you actually liked. Crazy.

[@SuzyF-df4iw]

Really?!! Not in my area it wasn't. 1984... there were no jobs for 16 year old's. Life was dire.

[@TheMockatiel]

@@SuzyF-df4iw yeah was just gonna say… weren’t like this in west bloody Yorkshire any part of the 80’s 😂

[@kayehodges6689]

I was 17 in 1984 @matthewjdouglas6471and it was the same here in Essex and Lincolnshire.

[@dinagreaves6686]

@@SuzyF-df4iwTrue

[@felixgarnet]

Tony is such a credit to his family. They should have had so much more support.

[@IngaBinga-j4y]

Well behaved kids. Good father & mother, getting the basics right. Help should always be there for those who are unable to work through no fault of their own.

[@matthewperry848]

Nothing has changed in 2024!

[@TinaLouise73]

👏

[@barryoffeastenders]

@@matthewperry848 There are many parents nowadays who are bone idle and ignorant. They put their children in these situations sadly.

[@tinamartin8890]

I remember this one!!!

[@avalondreaming1433]

Tony, I sincerely hope you found happiness in your life.

[@RobertWaite-cb3xq]

And yet the Royal family live in the same county with such extravagance. So very wrong

[@andrewhaywood3853]

Why do people go on about the Royal Family as if there aren’t any other rich folk in this country? The royals work hard, have a strong sense of duty and care. There’s thousands of much more obnoxious rich British people than the royals (many more than even become Tory politicians) who don’t give a damn about people. And now we’re facing threats from international billionaires like Musk who want to blackmail us with our national security as leverage so he doesn’t have to obey any European laws designed to protect kids. And yet people still carp on about the royals. I think it’s pure ignorance on your part because they’re the only rich people you know of and can name.

[@alanaitcheson9403]

My wife and I were in the same position in 1985, our concrete council maisonette was cold and suffered terrible damp. And today many young families can't even get a council home, we've got back instead of forward. Shameful.

[@jeffsimon9594]

many young families can't even get a council home unless they just rocked up on a dinghy - FYP

[@besovereign2032]

Many more hungry mouths and the country is even poorer

[@TheTacticalHaggis]

and how many blacks and browns were in the UK in 1985, ma'am?

[@besovereign2032]

@@TheTacticalHaggis not many

[@furq68]

Import the 3rd world become the 3rd world.

[@CuriousBritishTelly]

Watching this is 2024 and, I can't quite believe it, but I met Tony's granddad several times. I even went to his 100th birthday party. Thank God for KZbin.

[@australia_now]

What happened to tony

[@minethegap]

I’m desperate to know also!

[@scottfreckle237]

what the f*ck has a god got to do with you tube?

[@selfraisingsugar898]

Tony would be 58 now.. the passage of time

[@CuriousBritishTelly]

@@australia_now Unfortunately, I don't know. Perhaps he was at his 100th birthday, but it was a long time ago and there were a lot of people there. I was also at his 101st birthday party. They were both held at steam railway preservation places as his Grandad used to work on trains in his younger days.

[@kickass9390]

Any updates on any of these families now? I hope Tony had a good life.

[@bouncingbluesoul5270]

I want to know what happened to Julie, the young girl with the son.

[@BlytheWorld1972]

@@bouncingbluesoul5270 yes me too

[@marklola12]

​@@bouncingbluesoul5270Me too, she was in pure dire circumstances and makes me wonder how well her parents were living...if better then she could be at home with them

[@pumpkinpatch5]

@@marklola12 Something tells me they were unhappy with her choice of partner who had obviously run off. The child is mixed race, and in those days, sleeping around made people look down on you big time.

[@pod9538]

She's on Facebook

[@musicfan2511]

That poor young girl with her baby. When she cried and cuddled in to him at the thought of anything happening to him, I cried too. As a mum, I felt so much empathy. Really heartbreaking. I hope things worked out for them.

[@DonnellOkafor_hateslgbtq]

Should have had a child within marriage and financial stability

[@jeffsimon9594]

@@DonnellOkafor_hateslgbtq Exactly

[@DonnellOkafor_hateslgbtq]

@@jeffsimon9594 expecting the taxpayers to support her and her son? Smh

[@DonnellOkafor_hateslgbtq]

@Boo_175 family? Where was the father?

[@musicfan2511]

@@DonnellOkafor_hateslgbtqShe was a young girl trying to do the best she can. Good to know you’re so perfect 👍🏻. God forbid you ever found yourself in a situation where you need a bit of help and compassion.

[@Simon-pl2zi]

Tony is an angel. Extraordinary human being.

[@ohmeowzer1]

I like Glen what a great dad and man. I hope things worked out well for him and his family.

[@michellegordon456]

Very proud Gentleman, how many people now clean and polish shoes like that❤

[@MargaretMccafferty-j4s]

Lovely son, I hope he's happy now. The father, how dare those snobs say he's a scrounger,walking miles for food as cheap as possible. People this day and age don't appreciate tax credits,child benefit and income support. I was one of those kids,mum was a beautiful ,kind great mother but dad was seriously ill with schizophrenia and left my brother and I when I was 3 and brother was 8. I thought my poor mum was underestimating when she said 30 pounds a week for 2 kids and herself. All her multiple sisters married well and had middle class lives,we never got a Xmas or a card except for my dear family in Bradford and my one uncle . No hand me downs from their expensive clothes. I don't count them as aunt's. My father's family were kept far as my mum hadn't spoken since my dad left. I remember,cold house,hardly any clothes but always fed and when clothing grant for school clothes came it was the only good clothes we had. I remember my mum struggling for tights and even having just one bra. I love my mum for this. She's comfortable now after a little inheritance. Nothing lasts forever. Clean clothes,bed,food and love is the most important things. I cherish my furniture and the comfortable house I made for myself, every day.

[@ProserpinePomegranate]

@MargaretMccafferty,bless your lovely Mother,your comment made me tear up.

[@adamhughes4442]

You had a wonderful mother. All the best.

[@SaoirsenahÉireann1]

Very well said Margaret..I had a similar upbringing in Ireland when my beloved Father got a massive heart attack...tough times indeed....but we came through....

[@jeannemillsom9300]

Yes I agree, he was doing the best for his children, times were hard in the 80s, remember "Boys from the Blackstuff"?

[@DonnellOkafor_hateslgbtq]

Why couldn't your mother work?

[@rajimac]

That man glen was such a good dad and really tried his best. I hope life improved for them all.

[@joannesmith3991]

broke my heart when the young mum cried holding her son

[@chipbuttytime3396]

crying involves tears which she did not display

[@TheTacticalHaggis]

Should go back in time, Scotty. Tell her not to take creampies unless she's intending to be a mother.- it wasn't an accident.

[@nr1785]

@@TheTacticalHaggisyou men are despicable. It’s the man who holds the greater responsibility here. He had NO RIGHT sleeping with her outside of marriage, then getting her pregnant and then abandoning her and their son. What a loser he must have been. Much like yourself.

[@samanthab3292]

​@@TheTacticalHaggistell men to keep it in their pants if they don't wanna be a father, it's a two person thing don't be such a jerk.

[@LawnMowersThingsThatMakeNoise]

We are back in the 1980's now with regards to lack of food, money, basic essentials. the nhs is worse than it was in the 1980s 😞

[@brianorakpohit]

Thanks to the Conservatives, yes.

[@emmas3716]

Oh I'll second that the NHS are the No Help Society. Out of control Socialist Monster

[@emmas3716]

​@@brianorakpohitnah. Socialists. Those entitled brain washed doctors are literally there for their salaries. For themselves, and for their families. Which is normal. That's what we all do. Communism works within the family unit and to some extent small communities. But not large scale healthcare. It's a failed Ideology.

[@JohnHaigh09]

No way is it as bad as the time in the video, you have no idea, the system may not be perfect today but it's not as bad as what the people in this video were facing, be grateful you live in this time!

[@LawnMowersThingsThatMakeNoise]

@@JohnHaigh09 "you have no idea" I do, I lived through it. And I'm disabled.

[@ohmeowzer1]

I feel bad for Tony and hope he had a good life

[@gjthomas9770]

He should have started selling blow . In 1988 to 1996 l sold everything at the raves . I used the money to build multiple businesses 😊

[@johnk1639]

I used to work at the DHSS from 1999 to 2004. The prevailing attitude amongst the staff was to give out the absolute least amount of money possible, and People applying for benefits were treated with suspicion and contempt by the staff.

[@leerobinson8709]

Still like that today. Starmer wants banks to spy on their benefit "customers" accounts and report back. Meanwhile tax dodgers, despite costing the country more, get continued freedom.

[@emmas3716]

Oh definitely. While the lazy Socialists collected their salaries and pension

[@matthewburns7989]

The baby boomer generations make me so angry. As a cohort they are narcissistic.

[@tilerman]

So you had the same attitude, yes?

[@jennawalden8547]

@@tilerman no, but I can tell from your attitude, you were one of the bully boys shouting his mouth off at the staff, ONLY if they were female though, Yes? 🤣🤣. Take a hike !

[@myoldvhstapes]

Tony was 18 but could pass as 30. I hope he got a break later in life.

[@susanlaird5154]

You should have had plenty of help from the social. Home help district nurse etc. good for you. Thank god you are there for them not many would do that.

[@nr1785]

What a good mother Julie was, advocating for her son and not giving up, under such difficult circumstances. The Housing Dept should have just let them stay in the other unit, had a heart about it all. I hope life turned out wonderful for she and her son. It was so touching at the end when her little baby grabbed her face and made her look at him when she was crying, he stared into her eyes to give her strength and as if to say “it’s ok Mum, I love you, we’re going to be ok!” How absolutely precious, and a perfect example of Gods love.

[@uniteallaction]

I was about 7 in 1985, and I remember the '80s clearly. It felt bleak, growing up with my mum, sister, and brother, relying on benefits. Life wasn’t enjoyable at all, and if you walk down certain streets today, you can see the same struggles happening again. Anyone who thinks people are better off now is delusional. Yes, people might have more technology, but in some ways, it makes life harder. Back then, there was no internet or Instagram constantly showing you how other people live. While technology has improved some things, it’s also made life worse in other ways. I don't think people back then were too focused on buying houses; they were just trying to get through the grind of everyday life. Survival was the main priority, not long-term investments like homeownership.

[@samantha4130]

46 here and remember the struggle in this time all too well..

[@uniteallaction]

@samantha4130 thank you for your comment Even though I have a lot of nostalgia for that time, I’m not sure why. Life was pretty bleak overall, but a few memories, like Christmases and things I saw in shops, still come back to me. It was a different time, long gone, and probably meaningless to anyone else, but for some reason, it still brings back faint memories of a grey, difficult period in my life. Maybe it was The Troubles living in Northern Ireland I remember my mums bag searched for bombs when she used to go into the shopping centres in Belfast.

[@michellegordon456]

​@@uniteallactionI think people were more resilient, not whinging and also like this Gent understood his priorities, food on the table for his children, totally understand you point, but there was less me me then inho bless you😊

[@emilyzena7070]

Thank you for posting this. Heartbreaking.

[@marklola12]

I thought his dad was bed ridden yet hes fully dressed stood all ok at the top of the stairs and a miracle when son left his mothers health miraculously got better where they cope all ok without him.... miraculous

[@susanlaird5154]

His dad looks very ill to me!

[@thephantomarse]

Dad looks OK to me I bet the mom wasn't that ill either poor lad

[@monkeh86]

It was a Christmas miracle! 😂

[@susanlaird5154]

I think I mistook the mother for the dad.

[@thephantomarse]

@@susanlaird5154 🤣

[@samantha4130]

Jumble sales were a thing!! My Mam always dragged me there to one. I’m 46 now and my elderly parents are now very comfortable due to Dad’s private pensions. But I remember the struggle. Once Mam cried as she walked us to school as she didn’t have 12p to give me for a packet of crisps from the tuck shop. Times were tough.

[@monkeh86]

Same here, I basically grew up in the late 80s and early 90s only wearing jumble sale and charity shop clothes!

[@Psalm7326]

Jumble sales we're the best

[@stephenbarker4422]

And now we've turned full circle and the country is back to the 70's ,I know exactly how Tony felt having the same sort of life ,I never watched this when it was innitially shown ,its as if time has not moved on and that the past 50 years plus havev counted for nothing .

[@lucyii]

This is absolutely heart breaking. I felt so much sadness watching this. It makes me feel even worse that nothing much has really changed in 2024 and doesn’t look like they are much improving 😓 why do we live in this world. Someone that can actually make a difference SHOULD DO SOMETHING!

[@DonnellOkafor_hateslgbtq]

@@lucyii do what? Ppl that don't work don't deserve to live as good as ppl who do

[@TauCeti973]

Guess what the only logical response is to your final statement.

[@ThatAngloSaxonBloke]

They were hard times back in the early to mid 80s, but I'd trade anything to go back there from where we are now.

[@ericwright8498]

Why, out of interest?

[@ThatAngloSaxonBloke]

@@ericwright8498 I felt much more at home during that time period. Modern day UK depresses me.

[@keithbentley6081]

@@ThatAngloSaxonBloke A little increase in prosperity could go a long way back then I think, and people were more community minded. If you're poor now you're staying poor.

[@thesleepstate]

@@ThatAngloSaxonBloke if you wernt back then now at your current age you might well be dead! life expectancy has improved tenfold since...

[@donnakirk8504]

Real sad fact is the only thing that’s changed is fashion haircuts and prices

[@Itsmellissaaaa]

I really want an update on Julie & Lawrence. He would be 40 now

[@ard-core-vibes]

Almost

[@dan11438]

I think part of that young mother’s problem was the choice of father she made for her son. Those types aren’t exactly known for sticking around.

[@pdaniaful]

You're a disgrace for making such a comment, no white man has ever knocked a girl up and didn't stick around? 'Those types'?

[@LGTQGUY]

Heartbreaking to see her cry when she said if anything happened to her kid!

[@JamesTKruk]

I felt such joy when he got accepted for the drama school.

[@duaplex1]

What a gem of a video

[@tacituskilgore9803]

Tony and Julie will both be 57 now. I wonder what they are up to these days? I hope life was kinder to them in the years after this

[@Truerealism747]

Would like to no😊

[@decluttering-queen1898]

​@@Truerealism747 same here

[@louisianna5524]

Me too ❤

[@minethegap]

The aspiring actor was called Tony Evans and it looks like he was successful in attending Weber Douglas Drama School. Does anyone know what became of him? He’ll be ~56 now.

[@EgoChip]

The fact that this is not only still commonplace, but is getting worse, gives me no hope for the future.

[@galaxianx01]

I remember this time. I was 18 in 1986. I went for my first flat and turned it down. Had keys to another within 3 days. Imagine that today.

[@jennawalden8547]

@@galaxianx01 I know what you mean. Flats were up for sale for around £41,000 in that year. I was looking to buy , but it didn’t come about for some reason

[@belleooo]

@@jennawalden8547 That was a lot of money then for a flat. In Leeds I was looking at houses, ok small terraces, for £5k and £6k. We looked at a 3 bedroomed terrace through house on a nice street for £17k and I thought that was a lot.

[@jennawalden8547]

@ wow! I’ll bet they would cost a fortune now !

[@moominmay]

This is why I get annoyed when people look back on anything earlier than the 2000s with rose tinted glasses

[@MiWri]

I had a rotten life but I still prefer those days to now. High prices, constant rules and regulations, lgbtqdhkhgg, Trans idiots, tyrant government, ridiculous laws, horrible people,Give me the 80s anytime, rose coloured glasses and all😢

[@rude2870]

⁠​⁠@@MiWriconstant rules and regulations ??? Did you not hear at the end of the programme some poor kid ran over in the tip ?! Thank god for rules and regulations the 80s were tough times and had the highest suicide rates ever mid to late 80s…. That was for a reason. So much more help available today. It’s not the 80s people miss it’s their youth

[@moominmay]

@@rude2870 thank you! People with fond memories of the 70-80s particularly and who trash life today were usually in their youth so cushioned from the harsh realities of that era by being kids and just having the luxury of being g able to experience all the good cool stuff like the music, clubbing and TV shows back then.

[@baborali2276]

They were kids back then, not in the real world.

[@davewinst1]

I’d love to see a documentary catching up with some of these people if they are still alive, you hope so much things turned out better.

[@MrMarcy76]

I vaguely remember the winter of 1985/86, and it was freezing cold for much of it.

[@lottierose8668]

council didnt give a fuck about the young girl and baby ,, sad

[@miarose9707]

@@Winnipeg2024landlords are doggy

[@DonnellOkafor_hateslgbtq]

​@Winnipeg2024 where was the father

[@DonnellOkafor_hateslgbtq]

Where's the father? Why get pregnant when you're in this situation?

[@Jack-x9i2i]

Just think how much worse it was each decade earlier going back it got worse and worse.

[@Winnipeg2024]

@@DonnellOkafor_hateslgbtq Are you on drugs 😂

[@jemalraghip3820]

what a lovely man Tony

[@EBOWARRIOR]

I will always be grateful for the childhood and home my parents gave me, I cannot imagine the life of despair these people suffered, I hope they and their kids are all in better places in this day and age.

[@scottgray6099]

I wonder what became of them, sat here watching this nearly 40 years into the future....they must be in their sixties by now if they're still with us

[@dawndexter9779]

You are also their son.. Wow what a wonderful son.... He will make a wonderful nurse, and have his reward.... My sisters and i nursed our mum with ms. If we had had a brother, he would've been just as caring.... Id love to know what became of this this chap

[@barbarapalmer8224]

The interviewer talking with the girl with the baby near to the end was a real cold fish ..he showed no empathy or sympathy towards her. Por girl l hope she got on well in her life in the end.

[@globalital]

We are back in 85 now

[@irenemorley75]

Nothing like 85.🙄

[@rude2870]

Way more help now. The suicide rates mid to late 80s were horrific which says it all

[@paulsidaway4014]

Laughable. Rose tinted glasses. Was always tough times for the Working classes

[@emmas3716]

I've looked after my frail Dad for 15 years. The NHS nearly killed him through sheer neglect. There is no safety net. Everyone needs to watch out for themselves and their families because honestly, we are one our own. Completely.

[@shirazulchowdhury24]

Your absolutely right! My father was in hospital four months before he passed and the level of care was disgusting! But it was not only my dad but a ward of upto 50 elderly people left on their own to look after themselves at meal times etc. Most couldn't even hold a spoon but most nurses left them to be. They became desensitised to human life. I went in everyday and helped fed my father till he was discharged.

[@Sara-ny5od]

Emma you are soooo Correct!! This is why its so important to take care of our health, as much as possible. Because you DONT want to end up in a nursing home or whatev....We are fundamentally ALONE! Peace S

[@TheTacticalHaggis]

Careful now - trash talking the UK's national religion is very dangerous

[@tonidewonderful4187]

Watch out for those Macmillan nurses too, they will O D your family when they feel like it

[@emmas3716]

@@TheTacticalHaggis don't I know it! Thou shalt not question thy lazy negligence

[@htee7426]

Oh my, I remember a good jumble sale back then.

[@JK-wn3cc]

Props to the first guy. If I was hiring, I'd be more likely to hire someone knocking on the door than someone that's been foreced to enquire about vacancies because the job centre made them as a tick box exercise.

[@BellyBurly87]

Oh poor sweetheart crying with her baby 😢

[@musicfan2511]

As a mum of a four month old baby boy, I cried with her! So heartbreaking. I really hope things worked out for them

[@neilfoster814]

I cried a little for her too, she seems such a nice, caring mum, and I don't blame her for moving flats. Her and her little one have no need to be cold.

[@jodiefindlay382]

Absolutely heart breaking 💔 poor angel but what an amazing mum ❤️ true love for her boy xxxx

[@jodiefindlay382]

​@@musicfan2511it's so heartbreaking 💔 I had the same reaction I have 4 boys now men that poor girl she's only 18 ... All I can say she's an amazing loving her baby against the odds 😢 xx

[@oNe-TwO-fReE]

One of the best jobs Ive ever had (Regional Projects Manager) came from knocking on doors. I really hope that Tony went on to succeed and find happpiness. He was a solid nice guy

[@Jaymonroe88]

Nothing really changed it’s been the same from day one it’s crazy how the government have got away with this makes me very sad watching this

[@tinatomlin79]

Well said.

[@griswald7156]

Things have improved since the eighties,we now have food banks…

[@susanlaird5154]

Thank god. Things are just as bad for some.

[@susanlaird5154]

Walk a mile in their shoes. Scrougers my ass. Who ever says that must be living a good life. Shame on you for saying that

[@Jamie-b2o]

What a big leap that is only took 40yrs😂

[@griswald7156]

As long as the elite can stuff their bank accounts and live the good life all is well with the world…

[@matthewburns7989]

@@susanlaird5154 it’s actually even worse because that feeling of your neighbours trying to suss you out and feeling like some scum to them is the worse feeling in the world to the point you don’t want to be seen and then don’t leave the house. The government have acted disgracefully. I’m not against the idea of getting money back in those cases it’s been claimed fraudulently, but in my opinion this is not something that should be a political issue that is spread all over the media. It’s a political weapon and claimants are just treated like numbers not human beings in distress of one sort or another or many.

[@DaRkPlUm]

Born in '91, so have no concept of how hard life could have been for people of this time. You can really feel their pain in this documentary, it pulls at my heart in a way I didn't think possible.

[@MrSpliffy3]

Your time is just around the corner pal. Hold tight

[@DaRkPlUm]

@@MrSpliffy3 With the way things are going, you're probably right. Bought about 7-8 items to feed my family breakfast the other morning and came to some £11-12. It's just madness.

[@MrSpliffy3]

​@@DaRkPlUmroll with the punches mate. Don't let it get to you. But the futures not looking too good. At 36 I qualified in a trade. Ive never looked back. Any trade. Any. And your family will thrive.

[@BridgetBurke-l2h]

It's very sad to see people living in those conditions through no fault of there own I hope things went better for them in later years

[@DonnellOkafor_hateslgbtq]

Having children is their fault

[@pershaankhan1662]

As a bradfordian i wonder how glenn and his family got on through the years

[@WillScarlet1991]

I wonder whereabouts in Bradford they lived?

[@sanchoodell6789]

Its mind blowing that this was made in 1985 (39 years ago). It has hardly dated at all. Most of what you see, how they talk, hairstyles, fasions, motor cars, all still look modern. 40 years before 1985 would be 1945 that would be towards the end of WWII where people had no TVs, cars had outside mudguards, everyone had the same hairstyles, people listened to Glen Miller on the wireless, flying around in Spitfires and Lancaster bombers! That's just shear crazy!

[@candyann-qb2xi]

Neally 40 years later nothing has changed , it's heartbreaking 😢

[@michellegordon456]

Tony is such an articulate young man, i hope he has reached his potential

[@markpalmer9844]

Just absolutely heartbreaking stuff.

[@Stevie656]

I hope these lovely souls life’s improved ❤

[@mub_lana69]

I remember the 70's you finished school on a Friday and start work on Monday I worked 40 hours for £17.50 we weren't rich but we were happy.

[@rafiqadarr6217]

I feel for Glen and his family, he is doing his best to look after and support them, better than many nowadays would do. I did two YTS Schemes when I left school - on the first one, I will never forget it, I “earned” £27.30 a week, and my Father took £15 of it, leaving me with £12.30. People were extremely poor in the 1980s, I left school in that year, 1985, so I know what it was like. The second YTS Scheme, I think I got £35, something like that, and again my Father took over half of it. I had to pay my “keep”, I don’t think anybody does that nowadays. But life was tough, and people managed, they didn’t use food banks.

[@captainchaos2671]

The little lad knew his mom was upset bless him

[@davidpatrickcoggins1153]

Hope the dad from Bradford found a job, hes a good dad, frugle bloke

[@Richard-pe4cx]

now there is even less support and no new council housing just unaffordable

[@mistofoles]

I've been through all this, alcoholism, depression, thoughts of suicide. But suicide isn't fair on your family, imagine the effect it would have on them.

[@linzieloo1]

I know but if you are suffering so much should you have to live for others?

[@ZoeDark-ed5ym]

​@@linzieloo1agreed.

[@jeffsimon9594]

@@linzieloo1 Great question but I would have to say YES actually. You will suffer and sacrifice for your kids no matter how great or otherwise your life goes anyway.

[@bouncingbluesoul5270]

Any update on Julie Goodard ?

[@sallyarmstrong8612]

She’s on Facebook, appears to have had another son and a few grandchildren.

[@MarcusWainwright]

I grew up in 70s and 80s as a kid I remember the poverty me and my mates went through but unbelievable it’s happening again

[@jeffsimon9594]

And inflicted by a 'Labour' govt too. No different to the other wing of the Uniparty. I hope voters have learned their lesson.

[@MrMarcy76]

Hats off to that 18 year old. I don't know how i would have coped at that age having to look after a family member, and forgo going out and having a life.

[@tonidewonderful4187]

think of it globally, its only in 1st world countries that kids desert their duties, it is human nature to look after our frail relatives but greed and selfishness wins in the West

[@DB-nw4gk]

Surly Tony’s mum could try and do a bit more for herself and tell her son to go and live his life. .He is literally saying he was going to kill himself and the first thing his mum said was “I still haven’t got over it” it was all about her! Even if I had no legs I’d tell my son to go and live his own life! The dad is there for gods sake, surely there’s enough of them to all help out in order the son to go!

[@Totallyunderrated-1]

You obviously have no empathy or campassion or the basic knowledge of mental health and its effects on people. In your small world im sure everyonr fits neatly into the little boxrs you create for them..and anyone you consider to be outside of your insular world view you blame them..point the finger and belittle them, and cast them aside as human trash. Hopefully as you mature in life, you will be more compasdionate and understanding, it sounds like you have a long way to go, but i have faith you will get to a happier place one day.

[@kamsavesmoney]

​@@Totallyunderrated-1are you saying the son ought to sacrifice his whole life to take care of his parents?

[@DB-nw4gk]

@@Totallyunderrated-1 you have absolutely no idea what your talking about! Pretentious pants👍

[@DB-nw4gk]

@@Totallyunderrated-1 you obviously have no idea what your talking about! Pretentious pants!

[@DB-nw4gk]

@@Totallyunderrated-1 I just know people. And some people are very happy to let you continue running around after them. You.. on the other hand sound incredibly preachy and naive.

[@lodersracing]

24:28 I'd love to know how this young lady and her baby are getting on now.

[@bouncingbluesoul5270]

She probably died as a Heroin addict and her Baby was adopted.

[@lodersracing]

Very sad​@@bouncingbluesoul5270

[@dinagreaves6686]

@@bouncingbluesoul5270🤡🤬

[@decluttering-queen1898]

​@@bouncingbluesoul5270that's bit harsh

[@jeffsimon9594]

@@bouncingbluesoul5270 That's how the world got James O'Brien! 😱

[@Sol-Cutta]

And it just got worse and worse and here we are... Today...oct 24

[@Lukydada-15]

Immigrants gon replace you 😂😂😂😂😂

[@justmadeit2]

19:35 cool 1980s jumper

[@Simon-rm7pi]

Left school in '82 got on the phone , had a job the next week. Never been out of work since .

[@BlytheWorld1972]

I felt from them all any updates on the girl with the baby and tony and the man .. on the dole ..

[@mw3586]

Same, it's rare that you watch something like this and feel every single one deserved better from life.

[@tbag315]

This was the beginning of the end for the UK and when i started looking for a way out. Emmigrated in 1993. Sad to see Home as it is now 2024

[@oddities-whatnot]

Lucky you could do that. Not many get the opportunity, it simply isn’t practical for 99% of people.

[@mw3586]

Tony's situation was appalling, his intelect and eloquence made it even worse. I hope he has/ had some joy in life

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Where are they Now..?

[@darthvader5701]

dead

[@BeesWaxMinder]

@@darthvader5701 🥺

[@GurinderJhawar]

​@@darthvader5701the 18 year Olds would be approaching 60 you plank

[@vlloyd46]

​@@darthvader5701Don't be so bloody cold. You arsehole

[@patrickbonham949]

🧐🤫🤔😬😁😂😂😭...... ​@@GurinderJhawar

[@TheLadyDiazepam]

I don't understand why teenage girls who can't even support themselves insist on having babies they can't support. I also can't understand why any unemployed person would insist on having 3 children. One, sure. That young man who got accepted into drama school was a sad case who should have been given much more support.

[@anitaevans2432]

I absolutely agree.

[@sr7791]

Totally agree with you,if you can’t feed or support the things then don’t have them,get your own life in order first and then think about starting a family if your circumstances allow

[@GriefTourist]

How much would Lab Con like this kind of thing back, they hate us. The post war consensus is well and truly over. Anyone having kids nowadays without very careful consideration must be crazy.

[@actionjackson180]

Tough documentary to watch .Such tv couldn't be made today.Especially the young mother squatting in the flat across the way then getting a warning from the Social not to do it again.

[@Secretface81]

I live like this now! Nothing has changed yet when i come to work im told that I’m privileged and need to give up any notion of promotion due to equity and injustice…What a great era we live in.

[@Asme1111-t8h]

I wonder how Tony is now.. incredible man.

[@linda-nl8ib]

How much money was sent aboard in these times We let our own human beings suffer

[@Winnipeg2024]

Recently I read that 30 billion was spent on housing and sending illegal immigrants back to other countries😱

[@silvershoes9724]

@@Winnipeg2024where did you read that? And what country are you from?

[@tinyarmada]

I mean their basic needs were met, shelter, clothing, food. At what standard of living is the government supposed to support people?

[@brianorakpohit]

​@Winnipeg2024 Allow me a guess. Was that in the Mail or on Facebook?

[@linda-nl8ib]

@@tinyarmada the people are the government So why do we send billions aboard . So why should we accommodate their needs .

[@laoch5658]

my father used go out and buy himself the best of clothes while we could barely make ends meet. Some of these people deserved better

[@hegra32]

No words 😢

[@the50pkid]

Was there ever a follow-up?

[@ohmeowzer1]

How is Julie??? Please do an update

[@monkeh86]

Had another 10 kids, all funded by taxpayers, now in her 50s, never worked a day in her life 😂

[@JK-wn3cc]

​@@monkeh86lol. A dozen tax funded grandkids by now i imagine too

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Pretty depressing. Poverty is relative but most people today in UK and Ireland don’t realise how easy they have it. Take a young persons smartphone away and they can’t at all.

[@combrogi]

I went in the army in '86 at 20 years old. That was my second job and since then I've only claimed dole for 2 months. I consider myself to be so, so lucky and have always been able to save and afford things I needed. But on the other side I've never had or wanted kids, maybe that's why I've always had money.

[@Crazy1Clive]

Gotta love the over-urgent, blunt commentary over this piece. That's one thing TV _does_ do better nowadays, just with less than perfect diction!

[@jaykaye7025]

I hope they are all doing well, they are good decent people and have lots of potential

[@dominewimbury2039]

Sadly, young Darren Smith, the ten year old mentioned at the end, did die. Poor lad

[@absoluterefusal]

Would someone translate what was said @9:38 when she points at the chair? I (ashamed) "North"American" and can't find me arse. Thanks!

[@lporquai9048]

She's saying " She gave me that aswell " I'm from the u k

[@MaclunkyMaclunky]

..there is literally an alien in this footage 0:29 ! Also this is heartbreaking

[@SRHartley]

Well spotted

[@robtyman4281]

It's a Gilgameshian, from the planet Zokalanda. He came to see for himself, the destruction that Margaret Thatcher had wrought on the country.

[@elaine58100]

I do think the mother was relying on the son too much. She did have time to put make up though. In this documentary it says after the son left, his mothers health improved.

[@dianestevens2659]

Nothing wrong with beans and fish fingers

[@pauljmccluskey5532]

I loved fish fingers, chips and beans as a kid - that was a wholesome and tasty meal, covered in salt and vinegar ❤

[@leerobinson8709]

Chips, beans and fish fingers were a staple. A good day we might get a fried egg with it. I couldn't eat it every day though...

[@MickeyGee73]

Fish fingers have got quite expensive these days..I used to love a fish finger and tartare sauce sandwich!