Starving

[Canary42]

If you starve one child that's a crime.

If you starve 1 million children that's Compassionate Conservatism.

[Mozz71]

//A government that can be seen to be subsidising richer people by giving them half off to eat out a couple of months ago//

In fairness Bednobs, that was to encourage people to go out and eat to help keep businesses afloat, rather than subsidising richer folk.

[AuntPollyGrey]

What annoys me more than anything is the £25 a day food allowance for Mp's. Why? That budget would give two children free school meals for a week.

[CrapAtCryptics]

I`m sure more than a few of these families wouldnt survive an in depth look at their finances. i`ve seen it locally designer gear, latest phone, scratchcards, booze, cigarettes and probably drugs but the kids come low on the list of priorites.

[ummmm]

That is a minority, CAC.

[ummmm]

And what designer gear? Do you actually get close enough to these people to see the label, what make their phone is...etc?

I very much doubt it.

[AuntPollyGrey]

C at C I'm sure there are parents who take advantage, some that are addicts and have mental health issues -but that's not the kids faults is it? Feed the kids first, then do something about the parents.

[Theland]

Scrooge is practicing for Christmas!

[Old_Geezer]

The FB example. Sounds like the welfare staff weren't doing their job and missing a case of child abuse. That's a different matter to paying out to cover basic necessities such as food and then subsequently providing the food as well. They need to tackle the real issue rather than what amounts to multiple repeated benefits.

[ummmm]

But don't forget, O_G that many people in food poverty 'are' in work.

[Mozz71]

//They need to tackle the real issue rather than what amounts to multiple repeated benefits.//

Long term, I agree, but there's no quick fix. Short term, the government should make sure kids are not left hungry. It is also the perfect opportunity to take stock of the families who do claim these subsidy, so their circumstances can be explored when normality has resumed.

[Old_Geezer]

And if in work are either earning enough to feed the family or get further benefits to cover that. I see no excuse for not covering basics, nor for the authorities to not spot when it's not happening and act however is deemed appropriate.

[Old_Geezer]

Besides, don't supermarkets run food banks these days ? They shouldn't be thought necessary in civilised society either.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Giving free school meals this half term , to eligible children, would have been a fantastic 'gesture of goodwill', and perhaps got a few more people back on Boris' side. However, his stubbornness on this issue has done him and his Party no favours. With this and the seemingly 'do as I say not as I do' policy he has really showed himself and the 'Tories up for what they are.