Hard times?

I must be honest and say that I haven't actually lived in UK for a very,very long time, but I've always kept a little eye open on things happening back there! For quite a long time now, I've had this sensation that all is not well!
TV, Radio, Tourist friends and visitors all confirm much of this sensation, and I've had the feeling that, financially, the UK is the bubble on the point of bursting!
Over many years, as a German pensioner, I have watched other German pensioners (and pensioners from other EU countries) slowly struggle to get to grips with no increases (as was generally promised) but reductions in their Pensions for the last 6 years.

The introduction of the Euro, with it's consequent price increases (in particular for services like water/gas/electricity and for Governmental services) certainly didn't help, but at least almost all of the countries involved had seen the arrival of large problems in the Pension sector, and were doing something about it!
I'm not saying that I'm pleased to take a cut rather than a rise, but it may well reflect the true nature of things. Better to get used to it now, slowly, than to be plunged all at once, over your head!
That, I fear, is what is in store for the millions of UK Pensioners. Both I, and my wife, watched over the years, as British Pensioners went on wild money sprees, buying up everything from Chalets, Caravans, Trailor Homes to village houses and even Chateux!
We wondered how this could be possible, and eventually we were informed, through the UK media, that things like Credit (renewable) were what the British lived from. Not really from their Pensions, nor their wages, but renewable credits, where it was cheaper(?) and easier to repay the monthly installment, thus giving a usable balance, which was/is used for living from!
OK - so long as your Income (Salary,Pension etc) stay stable, even increase, but what happens when they don't?
It appears that a certain, well-known British Politician was advised 10 years ago, that his decision of the day could signal the end of any form of stability to Pensions in UK. The talk is of a "hole" somewhere near 20 billion! (How many zero's is that?)
This comes on top of the fact that the "approaching Pension Age" people have been aware, for some time, that their Pensions will NOT be livable from!
Those poor people who don't reach Pension age until 10-15 years from now, are already aware that they will probably get NO pension at all!
Both groups could, of course, continue with the "renewable credit solution" - at least until such time as the Company's and Banks say STOP!
You want another credit, or you want to continue this credit, then you'll have to sell us your holiday homes, even your normal homes! We'll have a quick look at your car as well, but if it's not younger than 6 months, hard luck! Should have taken up our offer of further credit for a brand new vehicle!
Of course all this only possible if the client is actively in work! Unemployed people - forget it! Pensioners (due to the low amounts of income) should be dead anyway, and stop annoying us with your problems of old age!
I suppose that this "hole" in the British budget (and it's not the only one the've got) won't make it difficult for the Politicians and other highly placed persons to continue their lives, Pensioned or not!
Finally, I found a little photo and a link to a Governmental site, where it is explained that your last resort is a "Death Grant" - where the widow or surviving family members will be allocated a sum "not exceeding 6 months salary" plus various other "expenses for funeral costs"!
Sounds OK - thought I, why should I bother with my various Insurances to cover these costs?
Only problem? Well I'm not a Bahrain citizen, but I'm thinking about it!
(Neither are you - that's why I haven't published the link! - I don't want too many people demanding Bahrein citizenship all at once!)