Charity v taxes - children in need

[veeringsouth]

This is pissing me right off. So many examples of real need, that should be addressed and supported by taxation. Not charity.

Totally agree. Absolutely appalling in a wealthy and advanced society that the provision of basic things is left to the mercy of people's "generosity".

And don't get me started on the self-congratulatory hideousness that is CiN

You're right. Will Self is quite vocal about this and talks about how charities enable the state to avoid responsibilities.
Nothing much has changed since victorian times, including the view of deserving and undeserving poor.

YANBU. But that’s Britain for you - charity shops and fund raising galore for things that should be covered by government spending. I’ve lived in quite a few countries - no one seems to spend as much on charity for causes in its own country as Britain does.

Is CiN not one of those charities that is sitting on a huge Bank balance or was that not true?

Absolutely. But the majority of people don't want to pay higher taxes, and have repeatedly voted to cut public spending. One of the problems with a democracy I guess.

I know we shouldn't need charities.
But it seems that most people bitterly resent paying taxes.
Those who can, pay expensive accountants to help them to avoid paying tax.
I was brought up to support charities and to do some voluntary work because my parents believed that was the right thing to do (they were brought up the same way).
I volunteered in one particular charity for 2 years, then left because one of the board members was stealing from them.
It is difficult to know what the answer is IMO.

I think there is an important space for charities to operate in the UK because they can provide services that Government doesn't do as well, and to campaign and influence too. However, preventing children falling into poverty should absolutely be the role of Government. I felt a bit sick this morning sending my kids off to school to have a fun Children in Need day when there will be kids in the school living in poverty right now.