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Original poster

So the Tories have voted against Marcus Rashford MBE' s proposal to extend free school meals for vulnerable children

177 replies

MagicoRomantico · 21/10/2020 21:36

I wish I could say I am shocked. But unfortunately this is the government we have, and it is expected that they will always do the cruel/stupid [insert unpleasant adjective here] thing.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/12040/12110562/marcus-rashfords-free-school-meals-campaign-rejected-as-mps-vote-against-labour-proposal

OP posts:
Sittinbythesea · 22/10/2020 07:22

But why the insistence that it should be schools that sort out the lunches over the holidays? That’s not what schools are for, how are they even supposed to organise it when they are closed. It’s not something they have ever had to plan for, it’s just a bizarre, knee jerk solution that makes no sense with any level of thought beyond the emotional response. The staff aren’t there in the holidays. Are they going to be paid? Who is going to look after their children in the holidays? Who is going to open/ clean the school. Insurance, supervision, admin... it makes no sense!! Should we say art saying that dentists are responsible for administering child toothbrush it everyday, and providing toothpaste.

NerrSnerr · 22/10/2020 07:29

It’s not ‘wrong’ or ‘immoral’ to think that people should think carefully before having children - we see loads of threads on here with people weighing up the pros on cons of having a child (or another one) can they afford it is normally key.

That doesn't help the children though. Whether their parents should have considered affordability before they were born doesn't help them eat.

People on minimum wage in lockdown areas who can't work due to the lockdown are expected to live on less than minimum wage. Parents will be deciding between paying for food and rent. I imagine any buffer of money they may have had has already gone thus year due to already being furloughed and not on full pay. People are struggling and they need help.

Mumoftwo12345 · 22/10/2020 07:33

I've emailed my MP who vetoed it.
Seriously, we're all one poor decision away from poverty. They should remember that.
It's never a child's fault.

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General education
Sittinbythesea · 22/10/2020 07:38

Nerr- I agree. But that doesn’t mean we can’t ever even tangentially touch on the subject of parental responsibility.
Why not argue for an increase in benefits and trust that people will use it to feed their children?

FamilyOfAliens · 22/10/2020 07:41

@Sittinbythesea

But why the insistence that it should be schools that sort out the lunches over the holidays? That’s not what schools are for, how are they even supposed to organise it when they are closed. It’s not something they have ever had to plan for, it’s just a bizarre, knee jerk solution that makes no sense with any level of thought beyond the emotional response. The staff aren’t there in the holidays. Are they going to be paid? Who is going to look after their children in the holidays? Who is going to open/ clean the school. Insurance, supervision, admin... it makes no sense!! Should we say art saying that dentists are responsible for administering child toothbrush it everyday, and providing toothpaste.
That’s not how it works.

In the school I worked in until July, vouchers are ordered for eligible children by the school business manager for the period they’re needed for. A code is sent to the parent’s phone and they download vouchers to use in the supermarket.

Eligible children will already be on the system so there is minimal work for the school to do.

No one is suggesting school staff stay in school over half term buttering bread for sandwiches Hmm

trappedsincesundaymorn · 22/10/2020 07:41

How do we ensure that people don’t become long-term reliant on it? It’s not ‘wrong’ or ‘immoral’ to think that people should think carefully before having children - we see loads of threads on here with people weighing up the pros on cons of having a child (or another one) can they afford it is normally key

So when deciding to have children parents should now take into account the possibility that their income would be decimated due to a pandemic? I'll be honest I don't know one person who has ever considered that possibility when deciding if they could afford to have a child do you?

jakor · 22/10/2020 07:42

It doesn't make sense that schools have to sort this out. Catering & meal supervisors don't work the holidays. Just increase benefits.

Mumoftwo12345 · 22/10/2020 07:43

will that help a hungry child next week? It's cold, bills are getting expensive, food is getting expensive. The initiative is already in place and been used over the summer. It's pretty urgent, we don't have time.
They are asking for the help until Easter 2021, they can direct coffers into this until then. Surely?

Janevaljane · 22/10/2020 07:43

So when deciding to have children parents should now take into account the possibility that their income would be decimated due to a pandemic? I'll be honest I don't know one person who has ever considered that possibility when deciding if they could afford to have a child do you?

I certainly sat down and thought how I'd do things if my dh left me and I had no job, yes.

jakor · 22/10/2020 07:44

@FamilyOfAliens my understanding was the voucher system was a response to the pandemic & not an ideal system?

Janevaljane · 22/10/2020 07:45

I'm not sure how schools were supposed to do this in the holidays tbh. I'd agree with an increase in benefits.

jakor · 22/10/2020 07:45

I also understood that if a child is eligible for FSM they receive them for their "life" at the school. They don't have to reconfirm eligibility & it doesn't matter if their circumstances change.

FamilyOfAliens · 22/10/2020 07:46

@jakor

It doesn't make sense that schools have to sort this out. Catering & meal supervisors don't work the holidays. Just increase benefits.
See my post above.

They don’t keep the school open and serve lunches like in term time. They use vouchers.

Fajitanita · 22/10/2020 07:47

I certainly sat down and thought how I'd do things if my dh left me and I had no job, yes.

Exactly, but a lot of peoples want for children overrides the reality of what they can afford though, and it's everyone else's fault. I feel sorry for the children.

Fajitanita · 22/10/2020 07:48

I'd agree with an increase in benefits

How would you guarantee that was spent on food for their children? I know on MN it's forbidden to say that there are reasons beyond literally not having enough money, but it's the truth.

FamilyOfAliens · 22/10/2020 07:48

@jakor

I also understood that if a child is eligible for FSM they receive them for their "life" at the school. They don't have to reconfirm eligibility & it doesn't matter if their circumstances change.
Yes, this is called “Ever6” eligibility.

Brought in by the Conservative government in 2011.

SimonJT · 22/10/2020 07:48

@Sittinbythesea

But why the insistence that it should be schools that sort out the lunches over the holidays? That’s not what schools are for, how are they even supposed to organise it when they are closed. It’s not something they have ever had to plan for, it’s just a bizarre, knee jerk solution that makes no sense with any level of thought beyond the emotional response. The staff aren’t there in the holidays. Are they going to be paid? Who is going to look after their children in the holidays? Who is going to open/ clean the school. Insurance, supervision, admin... it makes no sense!! Should we say art saying that dentists are responsible for administering child toothbrush it everyday, and providing toothpaste.
Children won’t get literal free school meals, just like the lockdown arrangments parents will be able to claim vouchers to use with their food shopping.
FamilyOfAliens · 22/10/2020 07:49

@Fajitanita

I'd agree with an increase in benefits

How would you guarantee that was spent on food for their children? I know on MN it's forbidden to say that there are reasons beyond literally not having enough money, but it's the truth.

How do you guarantee that anyone uses their income to feed their children healthy and nutritious food?
Janevaljane · 22/10/2020 07:51

Children won’t get literal free school meals, just like the lockdown arrangments parents will be able to claim vouchers to use with their food shopping

Ah, thanks.

jakor · 22/10/2020 07:51

How effective were the vouchers through? My understanding of the purpose of FSM is to ensure a child gets one hot meal & pudding a day. A voucher doesn't ensure that.

jakor · 22/10/2020 07:53

@FamilyOfAliens do you consider that to be a generous policy?

FamilyOfAliens · 22/10/2020 07:53

[quote jakor]@FamilyOfAliens my understanding was the voucher system was a response to the pandemic & not an ideal system? [/quote]
Who do you understand that from?

jakor · 22/10/2020 07:54

The school I used to work for

Fajitanita · 22/10/2020 07:54

How do you guarantee that anyone uses their income to feed their children healthy and nutritious food?

You don't, that's why schemes such as this should capture more than low earners, but as people wouldn't favour government intervention over parenting etc, then that'll never be the case. It doesn't mean that areas where the children can be prioritised through how it's implimented shouldn't be.

FamilyOfAliens · 22/10/2020 07:54

[quote jakor]@FamilyOfAliens do you consider that to be a generous policy? [/quote]
Why is what I think relevant? I’m telling you how out works.