‘Everyone's had enough. Staff are overworked, we haven't had a pay rise for years, services and patients are suffering and everyone wants to leave or take time off. I work at a private practice some evenings and weekends to get more money. I’ve become a lot more careful. I mean, I’m not extravagant, I never have been, but I do enjoy myself. I go on holiday, but I try to not eat out all the time, and I won't go buy something just because I think it's nice. I can't afford to buy a house right now, despite the fact I’ve been working for almost ten years. So, I do notice it. I can see that things are getting more expensive now and life's getting harder. Living in London, and working in the NHS, it's not easy.’

‘I notice it. Since the last year and a half actually. I can see it. Now I’m working, it should be easier, right? I get Housing Benefit and tax credits and I can get credit now, I have an Argos card, which I couldn't get before. But my Housing Benefits have been deducted. When I first started [working] I was paying something like £36 per week towards my rent and that's now jumped to £60. That's almost doubled in a year. I get in arrears just like that [clicks her fingers]. I’m trying to keep on top of it … but it's a lot of work. People don't see that … they think if you’re getting help [from the state] then you don't put the work in. But sometimes at the end of the month I’m left with £30 to do shopping. I’m sweating to get to work, sweating to get him [her son] to school, and I’ve got £30 to do shopping. And like any kid, my son wants the latest trainers. I do feel bad, but I just can't do it, and I tell him, “I have to buy the bargains or it won't work”. I’d love to know how others are doing it, I really would.’