Martin Argles photographs austerity Britain

On 20 October George Osborne stood up in the House of Commons to announce drastic spending cuts. In the leader's room at Durham council councillors watched the announcement that their annual budget would be slashed Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

In a social centre in the old steel town of Consett, Isabel Beadle, 86, plays bingo Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

... while others enjoy a tea dance Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

In the town centre pensioners eat in the cafes Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Residents enjoy a drink in the Steel Club. Home care for the elderly is likely to be one of the first services to go in many areas Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

In Clifton, an outer suburb of Nottingham, Trevor Harrison, 50 years old and unemployed for two years from his job in the construction industry, is having his jobseeker's allowance reduced from £88 to £52 per week Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

His elderly mother is helping out with the family bills. His daughter Naomi is 22 months old Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

The family buy from the cheapest stalls at the local street market Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Many areas are projected to be disproportionately hit, such as the valleys of south Wales, towns built around a mining industry that folded in the 1980s Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

The disused colliery head of Pontypridd Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Although jobs are available in Cardiff locals are anxious about the subsidised bus service in the village of Fochriw Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Fochriw Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

In the social centre of Merthyr Tydfl's Gurnos estate, a long-term unemployed man, Gareth Parry, lives on benefits Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Craig Jones describes himself as "the toughest man on the estate", an estate with the hardest reputation in Wales Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Across the River Severn in Somerset, Phil Shepherd tutors a disabled student at the Engine Room arts centre in Bridgewater. It stands to lose £11,500, which would put a severe strain on what it offers Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Actor Caroline Horton is dressed for her part as the Wicked Witch in the Brewhouse theatre's production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Mothers and toddlers enjoy a dance workshop for under-fives at South Petherton. Somerset council has announced cuts of 100% in their arts budget Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

As students demonstrate against increases in tuition fees, other teenagers, here in a boxing club for the young in Northfield, Birmingham, are waiting to hear about cuts in their Education Maintenance Allowance Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

As are the young barbers in inner-city Cardiff Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Kayle Holt and Josh Ash at a YMCA in County Durham Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Carers for the disabled or elderly are usually undemonstrative but in Erewash, Derbyshire, they have formed themselves into an action group against the council's threatened redefinition of disabilities. This is Liz Stevenson and Wendy Prati Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Wendy Prati with her son Mark, who is 30, lives on his own and is autistic. They are anxious that his disability living allowance and income support will be drastically cut back. 'If they can subsidise the Irish banks,’ says Wendy, ‘they can damn well subsidise my son' Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Local authority housing in west London Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Boarded-up, empty council housing in Newtown, Birmingham Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Community centres such as this one in Newtown, Birmingham, are understaffed and under-maintained Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

On the south coast in Hastings the owners of bed and breakfast accommodation await an expected increase in demand to house homeless families Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

A young parent with a baby in a buggy in Hastings Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

In Portsmouth the Salvation Army charity shop selling second hand furniture and children's toys Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

It has seen a massive increase in turnover Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

The recession and cuts have begun to take hold in many high streets in places such as Northfield Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Discount stores in Northfield Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

Longbridge, a south-west Birmingham suburb, was the site of an MG Rover car plant, which closed in 2005 with the loss of approximately 24,000 jobs. It is being redeveloped into offices, light-industrial-use buildings and a further education college Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian