The story centres on the Pollacks, an East End family and their experience of unemployment, poverty and life in early 1980s Britain. Colin is a slow and possibly retarded man living with his parents and brother. He and his sarcastic manipulative brother still behave like teenagers, living with their parents and harassing each other. Neighbourhood characters include Hayley, a young woman with a crush on Colin, and Coxy a violent skinhead who befriends Colin. Trouble ensues when their wealthy aunt gives Colin a job and his brother becomes jealous.