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What do people think about Marcus Rashford and the free school meals over the hoildays
Great to see a young footballer doing something positive so many of them are in the press for the wrong reasons Rashford is someone you would be happy to see your kid idolise.
Not sure how a government that claim expenses on their meals can vote against funding meals for disadvantaged children
Its great what Marcus Rashford is doing and absolutely terrible what the government is doing, playing party politics over children's food !
I think the government's argument is it's a blunt approach where many children would get even if their parents are not struggling to pay for food. They feel the current benefit system would provide for those who need it.
To me knowing how many parents feed their children very low quality food having the state provide high quality nutritious well judged food to children is a positive thing anyway.
We are heading into much greater poverty as we pay for both the pandemic and the huge burden of debt we built up in the EU so personally I can see providing meals for children as the norm where a huge amount of children get it for free and others get it subsidised.
I think we all know how important it is for kids to have good quality food as they are growing so they have maximum health and a good immune system. This will give them the maximum intelligence and help them deal best with their education and therefore be the most productive and well adjusted citizens.
Our local council is going to give free school meals over Christmas it's too soon to organise for this holiday.
Imnotcheap it’s never too late. I work for my local authorities Children Services Department and they are sending out the vouchers today to children on free school meals.. they made it a priority
My sons go school in our town my daughter gets free school meals at college but she goes the next town over who would give her voucher? I dont know if that council is offering at the min mazza2112
I don't want to turn this thread into a political one but I would like to see the the food and drink subsidies banned for every MP. It does seem totally immoral, especially during the current times of hardship. Children should come first.
I think its absolutely disgusting that it got voted down and what's worse is people defend the decision.
I think he is a nice guy and he fights for something important and he lived that hell, so he really knows the issue.
About the government...I just do not see where the trillions are going...Riki comes up with a new plan everyday, instead of head one clear one.
I would not be surprised if anyone would band the people who voted against free meals...that is shameful and far from human behaviour.
I think this is a great Idea my local Subway made nearly £50 worth of food to be given out to kids, I know its not much but better than nothing.
This may come across as unpopular on here, but why can't people provide for their own children? Those parents receive income support, pip, child tax credits, working tax credits, child benefit etc, which is more than enough to cover the basic essentials. And unless there is a magic money tree somewhere, then those meals aren't really free as taxpayers are paying for them. Harsh but true.
Because we are in a pandemic with redundancies galore! If we weren't in a pandemic then this wouldn't be mentioned. Its ok we can just let the kids suffer while the government gets a pay rise. Also they could use part of the 12billion to Serco to fund feeding kids.
I understand where you are coming from and being a Libran, can see both sides. I have a single older friend who earned just £700 and had to pay 475 rent so with bills had nothing left for food.
Those already on the full gammit of benefits should not really need extra help, but those who have suddenly found themselves in a hole due to covid are sinking. I was not eligible for any help (I thought) but luckily had savings so used them instead of taking tax payers money.
What gets me is the significant number of parents who will use anything they get to feed their own addictions, booze, cigs and drugs, while their kids go hungry, so you can give and give but those kids will be no better off.
People who can should save when working and not rely on the gov't to Nanny them. They don't like the nanny state any other time. We have to ensure hungry kids get fed but this doesn't mean feeding ALL kids.
RegularComper90 even all that don't go far. My hubby works we get top up credits. Even basics for children is expensive. Prices go up all the time. You also have to think of some of the circumstances that children and families are in. Why do children have to get penalised for being born due to a rape. Or that the parents only wanted kids for the benefits. It could be death of parent then Grandparents are left to care for child/ren it's not always the child or families fault. We should be quick to judge. We should be helping each other. You never know when you may need someone's help with finances etc.
tracisinclair01 ive been there yeah wasnt for long but I felt nothing but shame that I had to ask for help
Leeann we shouldn't feel shame. Its wrong for people to made to feel that way. It's the way society is. If you need the help take it. Most people like yourself don't aim to be on benefits extra for long term. Hope you are getting back on your feet now.
Hi thank you im lucky that yeah I did find a job but im not fully off benefits at the moment
Lynibis I work with teenagers and some of them rely on their school meal as their only meal of the day... for lots of reasons.. parents addicts, family have fallen into hardship as parent lost their job...benefits paid 4 weeks in arrears (this can happen to any of us, I am sure I could not make ends meet on benefits). Some don’t have saving as even when working living close to the breadline. These young people often don’t look forward to school holidays as worry how they will eat and how their younger siblings will eat, as they usually take on care responsibilities. These vouchers are paid during school holidays can only be used in named supermarket on food only.. so at least they will get some food and relieve any stress they may have during school holidays.
Leeann it's a tough world out there. If needs must. Job market is challenging. If been trying to find work to work round my kids so hubby is doing it all. I have not worked 11 years so it get harder. We manage though with the top up benefits, like yourself, but if I can get work maybe we won't need top ups .
mazza2112 so agree. We need to look out for the younger generation nurture them properly if we want to look after us in return.
RegularComper90 am agreeing with you but only the genuine ones need it. There are so many abusing the system. One lady in street has meals delivered and if nobody wonts them off fb then she bins the lot. I have reported her but nothing they can do about it. Walking round latest iPhone brands ps5 pre ordered for Xmas and load other top stuff.
mazza2112 I think I answered all your points in my previous comment. I too work with kids in care and I have seen first hand parents who deprive their kids whilst drinking, smoking and taking drugs as these fixes are more important than feeding their kids. I also said that those who could afford to should save and not expect benefits to jump in when every month they spend all their salary on luxuries like restaurants, pubs, clubs, designer clothing, just because they can. If they can afford all that then they can afford to save. I fully appreciate that some are caught in a trap and my first sentence said about the predicament my friend is in. However, when working she is left with £1k per month after rent and yet saves nothing. Lives in tiny flat but still gets through that every month, forever ordering parcels online etc. I would worry sick if I spent all my money on extras and had nothing for rainy days. What she earns now I used to keep my partner and I, plus his 4 kids every weekend and a £900 mortgage, but I managed, just.
Just as it is right to acknowledge that some folk are in sincere dire need, so we must also accept that some others are feckless parents who have 6 plus kids and wonder why they can't afford to feed them. A 20 a day smoker spends £300 per month, is it fair to do that and plead poverty, and if two parents are doing it.................well, need I say more.
Finally, I haven't said not to feed hungry kids but there must be a way of filtering out the ones who are not in need.
Ann1984 Exactly, Ann. There are certainly genuine people who NEED the little extra help and I am all for helping those. It's just sad whenever I hear about those out there who do abuse the system and some of those treat welfare as if it's an alternative to working, whereas it is only meant to be a safety net. They claim about not having enough money whilst still being able to afford a 60" TV with Sky, ciggies, booze and the latest iPhone. But of course, this doesn't apply to everyone and I don't want to tar everyone with the same brush.
Leeann I feel sorry for people that need help but wont get help because they will automatically be someone who spends all money on **** and drink and be scared to ask for help.
Lynibis We should be feeding the kids now and once covid has died down then punish people who abused the system. We are going to punish a child because the parents choose to spend the money on alcohol and cigarettes?
PS in my experience kids who are badly treated are generally taken into care. I have worked with kids in care for far less than not being fed properly so one wonders why the children are not helped more by social services, teachers and other relatives.
Lynibis unfortunately these children can not choose how their parents spend their money.. so why should they suffer.. they would get a free meal if in school, so why not in the holidays. The vouchers given in the holidays have to be spent on food in named supermarkets... so at least they will get some food in the school holidays.
Leeann yes I agree and I hate to keep being negative about some parents (probably my job and the horrors I see) but the really bad parents will either sell them or buy inappropriate rubbish junk food, can't expect supermarkets to police them.
Children are canny and teachers should talk to their classes and encourage kids to come in for breakfast club. Hot cooked lunch and maybe a packed tea to take home. It would be cheaper than doling out money and appeals could be put out to the local supermarkets, food banks and more well off parents.
mazza2112 I have not said ANYWHERE that kids should suffer so please stop infering that.
Schools should be open during holidays (not teachers) where kids can get food. Parents should be encouraged to attend classes in budget and cooking cheap but healthy meals, just don't trust them with cash as the kids will not get fed anyway.
As a youngster nearly 60 years ago I remember clearly having a slice of bread in Oxo gravy for Sunday lunch and a fried slice for breakfast before school. I had cardboard stuffed in my shoes to breach the holes and always had passed on clothes, I know a bit about child poverty and would not have suffered so much under today's benefits.
Leeann oh ok. I am sure with all the so called brains in the government they could find a way so no child (or parent for that matter) suffers.
Where I work I see babies with broken limbs, toddlers whose development is permanently impaired due to neglect, children who can barely walk or string a sentence together. One baby was left up to 14 hours per day in a stroller with no food or nappy change and even gave up crying as no one ever came.
I defy anyone to witness that and not despise the parents responsible for it. Personally I would put them away and throw away the key.
Leeann what also makes me see red is that outside our contact centre are loads of flats and on a daily basis we see cars pulling into the car park and skidding out a few minutes later after collecting their drugs. Sometimes the seller comes to the car and you can see them handed over! The place reeks of dope and nothing is done. The police would only need to sit in a car and watch. I am so disillusioned with human beings I find it hard to see the good side.
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