1. ENGLISH 4 LISTENING
EVERYDAY PROBLEMS
MICHELLE GRAYSON
FROM : BBC BREAKFAST, MONDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2008
Simon Jack presents the business news from the London Stock Exchange every
weekday
Simon graduated from Oxford University with a BA in Politics, Philosophy and
Economics.
Before entering journalism, he worked for a decade as a corporate and investment
banker in London, New York and Bermuda.
In 2003 he joined the BBC's Business and Economics unit and since then has worked
on Radio 4's Today Programme and Radio 5 Live's Wake up to Money.
1 BBC Newsreader : So, what will the Pre-Budget Report have in store for families? Simon
2 Jack is at the Stock Exchange to tell us more. Morning.
3 Simon Jack : Good morning everyone. Yes, Alistair Darling actually wants to do two
4 things. He says he wants to help families whilst at the same time encourage them to keep on
5 going out and spending their money. Well, can he do both? Well, I went to find out.
6 Simon Jack : Michelle Grayson lives near X in Essex. She’s a single mum with four
7 children, three of whom live with her. She receives income support and estimates that after
8 her bills she has around 40 pounds a week to provide for her family. So, if the Chancellor did
9 put that little extra money in her pocket would she spend it and what would she spend it on?
10 Michelle : I’d spend it and I’d spend it on the children’s clothes, utility bills and more fruit
11 and veg for the children.
12 Simon Jack : What’s making life particularly difficult for you at the moment?
13 Michelle : Heating, putting money on my gas. We’re sitting here, cold and it’s also,
14 foodwise as well. I’m on a low income and it’s hard to provide my children with vegetables
15 and fruit.
16 Simon Jack : If they reduced taxes on VAT would that make any difference on shopping
17 habits maybe?
18 Michelle : I’d spend a little bit more on shopping and also … be able to … I’ve put some
19 aside as well, just in case it goes back up again.
20 Simon Jack : Are you worried that what they give you now they will take back in the future?
21 Michelle : Yes, definitely.
FOR MORE INFORMATION :
Breakfast Homepage : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/breakfast/default.stm
