Free school meals another U-turn

[LadyWithLapdog]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/education-54841316

Another U-turn. Well done Marcus Rashford. If Sunak can print another 150 billion for quantitative easing until March, they can find money for this cause.

@dreamingofsun

Nothing wrong with u-turns. shows they are listening to people and are taking people's feelings on board. Hopefully the money will go to the kids that really need it rather than the ones that are already obese.

What?

So overweight kids don't get hungry? Is there a specific level of emaciated you expect before you'll feed a hungry child?

Obesity is not a sign that the nutritional needs of children are being met but you already know that.

Hopefully the money will go to the kids that really need it rather than the ones that are already obese.

Crikey!

Good grief! Healthy, nutritious food is often expensive. Obesity can definitely be a sign of a poor diet/low income. This article on food deserts should help enlighten you @dreamingofsun

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/12/more-than-a-million-uk-residents-live-in-food-deserts-says-study

You say u turn

I say democracy at its finest

The amount of money that they have given to friends and cronies during this pandemic means they can afford to do it.

@dreamingofsun

Nothing wrong with u-turns. shows they are listening to people and are taking people's feelings on board. Hopefully the money will go to the kids that really need it rather than the ones that are already obese.

Obese children can be malnourished and need good quality food.

Yes but the problem is

For many obese children - the reason they are obese is because of what their parents (many obese themselves) choose to feed their children rather than it being a case of not being able to afford junk.

So... burgers rather than bag of carrots (60p) crisps rather than bag of value apples (£1) , chip rather than bag of rice (£1).

So to have more money to spend on food will not, in many cases, have any positive impact on an obese child whatsoever. Perhaps even more junk food will be consumed.

not being able to afford healthy food

I thought it was interesting given they had a vote on it not two weeks ago and they cane up with morally twisted justifications for why they voted against it.

So it is a big fucking U-turn, slipped on a day when we were busy with the US election results.

But it’s good news
So makes zero sense they would want to “hide it” behind US news

It’s good news but not for the tories having to make yet another U-turn when they’d been gurning about how it wasn’t needed and they took a bloody vote on it 2 weeks ago.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8925389/amp/Marcus-Rashford-celebrates-Boris-Johnson-agrees-provide-free-school-meals-u-turn.html Here you are, even the Daily M calls it a U-turn.

No doubt will get a kicking for this, but just wanted to point out that healthy food does not need to be expensive. It's poor choices that cause children to be given crap food.

@LadyWithLapdog

It’s good news but not for the tories having to make yet another U-turn when they’d been gurning about how it wasn’t needed and they took a bloody vote on it 2 weeks ago.

But it is good news.

More money for needy families
Demonstrating a gov that listens

Oh the daily mail calls it a u turn

Right. Ok.

And again... I agree it is a u turn. Of course it is. But I don’t see that as a bad thing.

even the daily mail calls it a u turn

@ginghamstarfish please read the guardian article I posted above. It’s often not as simple as you’re making out.

@ginghamstarfish

No doubt will get a kicking for this, but just wanted to point out that healthy food does not need to be expensive. It's poor choices that cause children to be given crap food.

There are many reasons that "poor choices" are made though.

according to the guardian article where i live is a food desert as we only have 1 supermarket for about 10,000 people. I dont think kids here are generally obese though and most people could access the supermarket even without a car (we have practically no public transport). So that cant be the only reason.

@Jroseforever

Oh the daily mail calls it a u turn

Right. Ok.

And again... I agree it is a u turn. Of course it is. But I don’t see that as a bad thing.

Politically U turns are a bad thing. They're signs of an incompetent government - remember governments are supposed to a) get things right first time round and b) have the conviction of their beliefs.

Governments that U turn are seen as weak and untrustworthy. Whether you personally agree with that is of course up to you. But the press, who determine the optics and undoubtedly influence voters, and those that the government needs the support of (internationally for example) do view things that way.

My local Tory Cabinet member MP voted against FSM vouchers.
The uptake of FSM in her only Constituency High School (an Academy in Special Measures) is high. For some of these kids, cottage pie and carrots, cake & custard is their only hot nutritious meal of the day.
I hope she is thoroughly ashamed.
Marcus Rashford should be proud.
Kids will not go hungry at Christmas due to his actions.
Obesity doesn't, in itself, indicate 'poor choices'.
It is more complex than that.
My only shop within 15 miles is a Co op.
For £5, I can buy a freezer deal - highly processed chicken nuggets, burgers, chips, garlic bread, icecream (maybe some frozen peas?). Enough for two dinners for two hungry teens. Poor nutrition though.

OR I can buy a punnet of blueberries, a box of eggs, flour for a healthy breakfast?
Cold meat, wholegrain bread and a range of salad items for a healthy lunch (not for £5 in the Co op!)
Perhaps a packet of 90% meat sausages (£2.95) and some rice & veg for a healthy supper?

Any of those options would take the whole £5 for 1 meal.
I can buy things cheaper in Aldi it's true.
But I need £7.95 bus fare or a car to get there.