Budget spin hides plight of poor

The Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI) has published figures highlighting the growing gap between employed and unemployed.

Finance Ministers often explain by how much people are likely to benefit from various Budget items, and those statistics can usually be spun in such a way to generate a rosy picture that frequently obscures the more painful reality. Wage increases, tax cuts and social welfare increases are highlighted but the unemployed gain nothing from either tax deductions or wage increases, while virtually all are hit by increases in indirect taxes.

It is therefore necessary to look at the whole picture. The figures clearly show the gap between rich and poor is widening. In times of relative affluence, a perception often takes root that those who are not enjoying the fruits of the existing prosperity are just lazy. However, the real poor are usually prisoners of circumstance and society owes it to itself to help such people escape.