I don't know enough about the entire subject matter to comment too much but what always springs to mind to me is:
On the upper level, how many serious earning businesses or entrepreneurs pay 50% tax or even close. It seems to me that by having such high taxation brakcets it forces people offshore and takes money out of the economy that way. there is not much incentive to run a business here when you can use loopholes to have them in Jersey etc.
Then on the lower side, of every person claiming disability benefit or other benefits, how many do you think REALLY need them and are unable to work? 30%?? Immigration is fine in moderation as every country should help to an extent but there is not much moderation with it, so a lot goes that way also.
The average public sector worker who would probably fall somewhere in the middle on the whole is probably coming off worst. To me it seems like the money leaks from the top and bottom of the economy.
That said, anyone striking when they have a job in an economy like this one, should probably be grateful for small mercies.
I think the lack of oil and natural resources is much more worrying than anything else.
my rant over....