Böcker av Mary O'Hara

Austerity has proven to be more deadly than the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, over the last decade, the damage caused by austerity measures in the UK has had a long-lasting and profound effect on many lives. The first edition of Austerity Bites offered on-the-ground reportage of one of the most significantly regressive economic strategies of any post-war government. Over a year Mary O'Hara toured the UK to gauge the immediate impact - and expectations of people affected - and found many clinging to the hope that austerity cuts would not last long as the damage became increasingly apparent. Alas, this was not how things unfolded. Instead, much of the Welfare State had its vital support systems systematically undermined The public sector, including the NHS, is now on its knees. Schools are buckling under multiple structural and budgetary pressures. Councils - even big ones - are going broke. Homelessness is rampant. Austerity has killed. While Brexit, the pandemic, and war have no doubt impacted the economic health of the country, previous austerity cuts left the UK less prepared to weather such extraordinary events. With new commentary, Austerity Bites 10 Years On assesses on the true scale of the damage these policies have inflicted on the country's most vulnerable groups, public institutions and on the wider society. It reflects on where we have been, where we are now and what needs to happen next to undo the damage and avoid the same mistakes again.

Drawing on a two-year multi-platform initiative, this book by award-winning journalist and author Mary O'Hara, asks how we can overturn the portrayal of poverty once and for all. Crucially, she turns to the real experts to try to find answers - the people who live it.

This timely book by award-winning journalist Mary O'Hara chronicles the true impact of austerity on people at the sharp end of the cuts, based on her 12-month journey around the country in 2012 and 2013 and fully updated for the paperback edition

For over half a century Mary O'Hara's voice has delighted audiences all over the world and her recordings continue to sell. Her story is an inspiring tale of triumph over tragedy, helped by her deep religious faith and many friendships with other performers, recounted with warmth and humour in this updated version of her autobiography.