***recently published features: recessionUK

In the village of Langtoft, a short drive from Hull, lives 34 year old Steve Hunt. At the end of 2008 he was made redundant from his job as a furniture maker. Married with 5 children, in an effort to support his family, Steve converted a van into a mobile shop he intends to drive to surrounding villages without a shop. 238 miles south in Sevenoaks, Kent, lives 53 year old Suzanne Brereton. She has been unemployed since 2007 after being made redundant from her job as a Personal Assistant on a wage of around £50,000 a year. She is at risk of losing her home and struggles to provide for her two teenage children. These are just two individuals stories from different parts of the UK that provide an example of what is happening nationwide.

Hull is a city in Yorkshire with a resident population of 257,000. It endured heavy damage during WWII and went into decline suffering a wide range of social deprivation. Recently the city embarked on a programme of regeneration and renewal that has slowed due to the economic crisis. Houses and shops remain boarded up and to let. Children sell cakes to make a few pennies for the family. The local Credit Union has seen a significant increase in customers. By contrast, the town of Sevenoaks has a resident population of 18,500. It has always fared well in difficult times and is seen as an area of affluence and privilege. However, it is showing signs of a downturn in its fortunes and is trying to adapt and find new ways to cope. The waiting list for allotments is up 60% as residents look to grow and sell their own produce. Parents of children at the leading public school are requesting a discount in fees. The Citizens Advice Bureau received an unprecendented amount of inquiries for debt advice. The High Street eateriries offer a wide range of discounts and the number of morning commuters has reduced. It seems the recession is ultimately classless and everyone is having to reconsider their priorities and fight hard to hold on to what they have.