My Home Town

High streets and communities all over the UK continue to show signs of continuing deterioration and the money spent on trying to resolve the situation appears to be ineffective. The bank bonuses and MP's expenses scandal only reinforces the sense that those in control are out of touch.

At the same time, no-one has stepped in to help young people learn about the personal benefits that sharing and caring can bring to them financially, socially and spiritually. There is real economic value in doing so if it can be successfully unlocked.

Today's busy citizens are encouraged to use the internet which brings them more convenience and better value for money and so other more traditional forms of interaction seem old-fashioned and out of date. Virtual communities seem easier to participate in than actual communities. Small and medium size businesses are struggling to survive against the buying power of the supermarket chains and empty shops on high streets are a blight on the experience of a visit to the town centre.

The gap between rich and poor is widening and spending in education, health and other essential services isn't reaching its intended target.

Spending our way out of recession appears to be an unrealistic and unsustainable game plan.