Government refusing to feed hungry kids again

[noblegiraffe]

The new government food strategy out today should have included a plan to extend free school meals to all families on Universal Credit, as recommended by the review of the school system, and as requested by the teaching and head teaching unions among other educational professionals www.schoolfoodmatters.org/sites/default/files/2022-05/Education%20letter%202022.pdf

It didn't.

Child poverty is at 30%, free school meal provision 22.5%, so there are children going hungry and this situation will only get worse with the cost of living crisis.

www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/heads-deeply-disappointed-lack-free-school-meal-extension

Don't worry about MPs going hungry though, with their subsidised restaurants and generous food allowance.

www.opendemocracy.net/en/food-poverty-parliament-mps-taxpayers-cost-of-living-subsidies/?saved

"Taxpayers have forked out £17m to subsidise bars and restaurants in the House of Commons over just three years, openDemocracy can reveal.

MPs have enjoyed cut-price meals, with the average cost of food in the Members’ Dining Room reduced by more than £1 between 2018 and 2021.

In fact, politicians could have a full three-course meal at the restaurant for as little as £10.41 last year."

Anyone else think that money could be better spent elsewhere?

I’ve already said that I don’t agree with MPs having subsidized meals though so that would be no.

But as I’ve also already said, providing subsidized lunches for 600 MPs has nothing to do with the level of income cut off for eligibility for free school meals. It’s irrelevant.

as I also said, the cost to provide subsidized lunches to 600 people in tiny in comparison to the cost to provide millions of school meals.

Also it’s a bit inflammatory to say the government are “refusing to feed hungry children”. As pp have said the rules already provide for lower incomes on UC to get free school meals. Is there evidence that it is needed for higher earners on UC? Is that going to be better or worse than just providing them to all children? If so what’s the evidence?

I’m not necessarily opposed but can’t we have an actual proper discussion rather than throwing around inflammatory nonsense?

But as I’ve also already said, providing subsidized lunches for 600 MPs has nothing to do with the level of income cut off for eligibility for free school meals. It’s irrelevant. as I also said, the cost to provide subsidized lunches to 600 people in tiny in comparison to the cost to provide millions of school meals

It's not the cost, it's the point of priorities; that they'd subsidise highly-paid MPs' meals, but not that of children in need of the basics.

Yes, more people are.

But not "everyone" is struggling.

I don’t get the ‘I’ve seen people with lip fillers, nice trainers and nice buggies’ comment. So what? Does that mean kids should go hungry?

And just because someone may have a low income or may access food banks, does that mean they should have a shitty buggy and wear £7 shoes from Shoezone?? It’s like some people think, ‘well if you’re so poor, why doesn’t your clothes have holes in them and why aren’t you begging me for 50p?!’

A lot of you need to change your disgusting mindset

Buying food should be a higher priority than having lip fillers or expensive trainers or buggies.

Tbh @pedropony76 it does mean that.

There are a lot of awful and ridiculous comments on here but it’s no less ridiculous to suggest that people on a low income but products reflecting that income.

I do think we live in a society now though where (some) people would rather use a foodbank in secret than drive a shitty car in public. Social media has a lot to blame for the unrealistic expectations placed on young people today to “have it all”.
But again, never the children’s fault so I’m always happy to pay more tax to feed them (wonder if the social media giants are doing the same??).

It's weird how many people are willing to argue that people could afford food if they really wanted to given how much food prices have increased by recently, along with petrol and of course, energy. It's not really that hard to imagine that people who previously might have been able to afford to buy things are now struggling. I think anyone who isn't having to look at their finances far more carefully in recent months must be a rarity.

Also it’s a bit inflammatory to say the government are “refusing to feed hungry children”.

Really? They have form for this in refusing (and then u-turning multiple times thanks to Marcus Rashford) to feed hungry children during the school holidays in the pandemic.

The person they appointed to review the food strategy recommended extending FSM provision. Teachers and headteachers unions and other educational bodies wrote to the government asking it be extended because children are going hungry. Do you think they were lying? Did you read the letter in the OP?

The government have not acted on these recommendations - i.e. they have refused to implement them.

Therefore it does not seem inflammatory, rather entirely reasonable to say that they are refusing to feed hungry children.

The state is paying child benefit which is supposed to be used to feed and clothe children.

Perhaps it should be scrapped, if parents are spending it on something else, and the money saved can be used to provide meals instead.

Yes, they should put feeding their children ahead of these things. The poster above who says she pays £7 per fortnight to get her eyebrows done, but uses a food bank, should be thoroughly ashamed.

@noblegiraffe It's a scandal really. Currently Scotland offers free schools meals to p1 to p5 but will roll it across all years by next year.

The state is paying child benefit which is supposed to be used to feed and clothe children.

£21.80 per week for your eldest, £14.45 for the others.

Are you suggesting that’s enough to feed and clothe a child?

Completely agree. There are lots of people who aren’t struggling and limited resources need to be focused on those who are.

On top of their earning or other benefits, yes.

As shown by posters above, people are spending money on luxuries for themselves ahead of feeding their children. Any parent who is doing this should be publicly shamed.

The government should always step in if parents are failing, but we should never forget that it’s the parents’ responsibility first.

As shown by posters above, people are spending money on luxuries for themselves ahead of feeding their children.

At least one of those posters was a troll so I’m not sure I’m taking that very seriously.

However, if they qualify for universal credit, I think that’s a reasonable enough assessment that they are on low enough income for it to be worth giving their kids a free lunch 5 days a week rather than risk them going hungry given we’re in the middle of a cost of living crisis where many people are having to cut down on previous ‘luxuries’.

@NotKevinTurvey so because they use food banks they must look like a ruffian 24/7?? It’s bloomin £14 a month. Maybe that’s the ONLY luxury that poster can afford

Are you serious?

It’s £14 that they needed to feed their children, but instead blew on an unnecessary luxury. It’s abhorrent behaviour.

If she wants her eyebrows shaped she can do them with tweezers at home.

Shouldn't be a priority over food though

But she is caring 24/7 for a disabled child on 2 hours sleep a night! Let her have the eyebrows for the love of God if it boosts her self esteem and readies her to carry on, thus keeping the child out of the care system which would cost a lot more than £14 a month!

If the mother is spending her child’s food money on beauty treatments then the child probably should be in care.

This is exactly the sort of thing that makes people question claims of poverty.

Food banks don't have unlimited food. If you can afford to get your eyebrows done, you can afford food.

I certainly don’t agree with the highly subsidised food and drink for MPs.

However, extending free school meals to all families on UC is a terrible idea.

@NotKevinTurvey My child's 'food money' has never been spent on eyebrows ffs

He is well fed and cared for. Private swim lessons for example. The food bank is for me so I have the energy to carry on, on 2 hours sleep. Constant supervision 24/7.

Get your head out of your arse.