[user104658]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

They are a great example of local people helping local people and should be applauded and not hijacked by people claiming they represent some big fall into Victorian poverty.

I don't think anyone has claimed that - but what they do represent is the massive wealth divide and the absolutely abysmal scope for progression or social mobility at the lower ends of that. How much people have relative to people 30 / 50 / 100 years ago is largely irrelevant.