A mother who works full-time broke down in tears as she revealed she still can’t give her children the Christmas they deserve because money is so tight.
Abbie Palmer, 30, posted a clip on TikTok criticising Rishi Sunak’s government and other MPs who she says are ‘living a life of luxury’ while many in the UK are ‘living on their knees’.
The mother-of-two revealed she works full-time as a customer services manager, but can barely afford to feed her children, aged 12 and six, on her £23,500 salary.
She explained she is currently on leave from work with sickness and believes she has anaemia – but added she is too frightened to see a doctor in case she needs prescription medicine, which she believes she would not be able to afford.
With Christmas fast-approaching, Abbie says she had to walk out of Aldi because she couldn’t afford a festive food shop.
She is left with £600-a-month after all bills are paid – which is not enough to get by.
Abbie, from Wolverhampton, is well aware she does better than others.
The mum-of-two says she usually spends £300 on each of her children at Christmas, but this year is reduced to £100 between them.
Abbie said: ‘I was in Aldi thinking how normally this time of year my mum would fill the cupboards with Christmas treats.
‘Then I suddenly realised I wouldn’t be able to do that this year.
‘I don’t have Sky or anything like that. Unless I can pay I don’t have it. I live completely within my means – but it’s still not enough.’
Abbie says it is a ‘disgrace’ that MPs earn as much as they do and get so many benefits, and energy companies continue to make ‘so many billions’ while so many people are ‘suffering.’
She said: ‘My message to the government is let go of these expenses that the British public are paying for.
‘I’m not seeing doctors having expenses paid for, lunches paid for, having second homes.
‘[MPs] don’t need £40-a-day for lunch, they should get a sandwich and bag of crisps like rest of us.’
Abbie is currently off work due to sickness.
She thinks she has anaemia – a condition that develops when your blood produces a lower-than-normal amount of healthy red blood cells – but is scared to go to the doctors as she believes she won’t be able to afford any prescriptions.
Abbie said: ‘I can’t even afford to keep myself healthy.
‘I could end up with antibiotics and vitamin tablets that could cost £30. I simply can’t afford that at the moment.’
Abbie says compared to lots of people she is in a position of privilege, but says that just shows how bad things have become for people across the country.
She said: ‘I’m not even on minimum wage, but once I’ve done my food shop and put fuel in my car that’s basically it.
‘I can literally only go to the pub I used to work at on the off chance I can get a free drink or someone buys one for me.’
Abbie says she doesn’t know a single person who isn’t struggling.
Her rent, in social housing, is £450 per month, while her gas and electric comes to £150 and food £400 per month.
She also has to pay £130-a-week for breakfast and after school clubs so she can continue to work.
Abbie added: ‘Then within that you still want to allow them to do activities like football and cheerleading.
‘It’s completely unsustainable.’
Abbie is going viral on TikTok for her thoughts on the nation’s current situation.
Her video has been viewed more than four million times and has sparked thousands of comments.
Some have rejected her claims, saying that £600-a-month after bills should be enough to live on.
One person said: ‘£600 a month after bills would be a god send so I don’t understand how your struggling…. I’m left with maybe £50 a month..’
Another added: ‘If you’re left with £600 per month AFTER bills and still struggling I’d suggest getting help with money managing.’
But others say they sympathise with Abbie.
Someone posted: ‘People are missing the point.. it’s not a competition..people just don’t have enough to live on!’
Another said: ‘I’m so sorry you’re struggling, and that people are still saying ‘I would be well happy with £600′ like it’s a competition.’
Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
