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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:
jakor · 22/10/2020 07:54

because the purpose of FSM is a hot meal

NoWordForFluffy · 22/10/2020 07:55

@TBHno

Disappointing, but not surprising.

I just wish that Labour would sort themselves out and become a worthy opposition Sad

What exactly do you propose they do, given the Tory majority and the fact we're almost-4 years from a GE?

Opposition doesn't = shouting, screeching and slamming fists in Parliament.

You need to look at the election results and the press bias and see why the approach is being taken that is. It's a really tricky time being opposite a populist government and takes careful management.

As for those Tory MPs, absolute shame on them. It's disgusting.

FamilyOfAliens · 22/10/2020 07:56

@jakor

The school I used to work for
They may do things differently.

I would expect schools to use the system set up at huge expense by the government through a contract awarded with no tendering process to a company with no experience in the field.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
FamilyOfAliens · 22/10/2020 07:57

@jakor

because the purpose of FSM is a hot meal
Was that to me?

There is no requirement for food to be hot under the FSM system. I don’t know where you got that from.

SimonJT · 22/10/2020 07:58

@jakor

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.
The voucher guarantees £15 of food per week per FSM child.
SimonJT · 22/10/2020 08:00

@jakor

because the purpose of FSM is a hot meal
It isn’t, lots of schools have no kitchen facilities and find it isn’t cost effective to buy in meals. Its completely normal for FSM food to be cold food such as sandwiches, especially at primary school and in more rural areas. There is no requirement under FSM for a meal to be hot.
Janevaljane · 22/10/2020 08:01

Isn't this what child benefit is supposed to be used for?

SimonJT · 22/10/2020 08:02

@Janevaljane

Isn't this what child benefit is supposed to be used for?
Child benefit is a very small amount of financial support, this becomes more apparent right now due to increased unemployment and increased food prices.
FamilyOfAliens · 22/10/2020 08:03

@Janevaljane

Isn't this what child benefit is supposed to be used for?
No.

FSM is for children from families whose household income falls below a level at which their parents can reasonably be expected to afford to feed them healthy and nutritious food every day.

It’s means-tested and has no connection to child benefit.

Janevaljane · 22/10/2020 08:04

It would be enough to feed your children one hot meal a day easily.

jakor · 22/10/2020 08:04

That was my understanding because of the food options at the school.

I know the what the vouchers are worth but technically they don't involve physically giving the child food like they would receive in school.

Personally I think the scheme that doesn't require re eligibility is already quite generous. I saw that as someone who received FSM for some parts of my school life (always hot).

Janevaljane · 22/10/2020 08:05

Yes, I understand what FSM is for. Child benefit is an additional 30 a week for the first child. Can't that be used for food?

FamilyOfAliens · 22/10/2020 08:06

@Janevaljane

It would be enough to feed your children one hot meal a day easily.
I think you have a poor grasp of household finances for a family whose income is low enough to qualify for FSM.
IronLawOfGeometricProgression · 22/10/2020 08:06

@Janevaljane

Isn't this what child benefit is supposed to be used for?
As far as I understand it, child benefit is not in any way ring-fenced, and once paid into an account the banks will take it out to pay any bill - including their own charges leaving nothing to feed the children with.
Hesnotlocal · 22/10/2020 08:06

Does anyone have any ideas of anything we can do about this? Will writing to my MP (who I have checked voted against extending FSM) do any good? I am thinking about sending him some stats for the number of children in my area who qualify for FSM (easily obtained for the previous year from school websites), plus national stats on the number of new claimants and increase in unemployment. Then asking him to explain why in his opinion it is in the best interests of his constituents to not extend FSM over the winter holidays this year.

The Tory logic seems to be- £10 per person as many times as you like in August to 'Eat out to Help out' (if you can afford to match it with £10 of your own)= money well spent keeping businesses going. £'0000s to 'consultants' for algorithms that bugger up exam results, a contact tracing system that is not fit for purpose and countless other stuff= Necessity. Feeding the poorest children during what is expected to be the toughest (economically etc) winter in living memory= not the resposibility of Government.

oldsoulrebel · 22/10/2020 08:07

Scum

SimonJT · 22/10/2020 08:08

@Janevaljane

It would be enough to feed your children one hot meal a day easily.
How would parents then pay for the things that their child benefit was being used for? Like the gas/electric to cook the meal.
Janevaljane · 22/10/2020 08:08

But the state is already providing a benefit, directly aimed at children. Or are we just waving this away as superfluous, because that's a sure way to get it eventually withdrawn.

Sittinbythesea · 22/10/2020 08:08

So it’s not free school meals over the holidays that labour is arguing for, it’s giving fsm families a £15 supermarket voucher. More spin from Labour - going for the emotional angle.

NatashaAlianovaRomanova · 22/10/2020 08:09

@Janevaljane

Yes, I understand what FSM is for. Child benefit is an additional 30 a week for the first child. Can't that be used for food?
I assume you don't get child benefit & if you do & are getting £30 a week for a first child I want to know where my extra £8.95 is
Janevaljane · 22/10/2020 08:10

Child benefit is supposed to be for people to support their chidren. It's 140 a month for 2 children. That's plenty to feed at least one decent nutritious meal a day.

FamilyOfAliens · 22/10/2020 08:10

I know the what the vouchers are worth but technically they don't involve physically giving the child food like they would receive in school.

And neither does UC involve physically paying the rent or the utilities, but the government introduced that scheme because they said they wanted to encourage families on benefits to take responsibility for budgeting. One would assume buying food for their children is considered in the same way by the government.

jakor · 22/10/2020 08:11

As far as I understand it, child benefit is not in any way ring-fenced, and once paid into an account

Are the vouchers ring fenced? Can they be used on anything in the supermarket or specific foods? How do you ensure the child gets that food. Ime often children who qualify for FSM are from chaotic families & their meal at school may be their only meal.

Janevaljane · 22/10/2020 08:13

Ime often children who qualify for FSM are from chaotic families & their meal at school may be their only meal

I'm not sure that all kids in FSM are from chaotic homes but certainly some are and those families need targeted support.

FamilyOfAliens · 22/10/2020 08:13

@Janevaljane

Child benefit is supposed to be for people to support their chidren. It's 140 a month for 2 children. That's plenty to feed at least one decent nutritious meal a day.
Why do you think FSM were brought in if not to support people on low incomes to feed their children?