Austerity costs us a fortune.

By George Monbiot, published in the Guardian 4th October 2025

I was lucky. Last week, I was cycling downhill at night when I hit a pothole. The front wheel folded into an infinity symbol. I went over the handlebars and, with no time to put my hands out, landed on my face. My helmet and glasses took most of the impact. I emerged, remarkably, with just a few cuts and bruises.

My glasses were banjaxed, my bike needed major repairs and my clothes were torn....