I earn about 30k a year and I can honestly say that things are expensive. I really do not know how people manage on 16k a year. That said, out of my salary each month comes my mortgage, a 292 quid loan for buying my ex out of the property plus my bills like car insurance etc. I have worked out that I am left with about 500 notes a month to fuel my car and eat..
I don't know how others copy..
BTW, I am with DH on this one, he talks sense. f**k the pics of the kids in Africa, there are kids who need help on our streets. I think the British system supports as many as it can. Yes there are those who sponge, but the majority of British are hard working honest people.
My biggest bugbare(sp) is Gang Violence, Gang Dominance in certain areas. I feel that no-one is proud to be British anymore, not many people will stop and help others for fear of retribution..Such a shame.