To think that children in 21st century UK should not be living like this?

[mrspear]

See this report from the BBC

Apologies if this has already been mentioned

Jumble sales are the perfect place to buy cheap, decent quality clothing if you are on the breadline. Schools should teach all children to be able to sew, then clothes could be mended / shortened etc.. (I am astounded at the number of people I know under 30 who are incapable of threading a needle and sewing anything).

Food is cheaper now than it ever was, IF you shop wisely and have the common sense and ability to cook. Again, this is something that schools need to reintroduce.

usualsuspect Its you who have no clue just come on to moan not really to debate just throw insults as usual you will be commenting on my spelling again soon

if you don't like my points challenge them if not shah throwing insults is just childish

There is no poverty in the UK. Everyone gets a roof over their heads, food in their bellies and health/education.

The poor will always whine about it, but no matter how much money we give there will always be a bottom rung of society.

Vouchers is the way to go. Too many feckless parents using money the state provides for their kids on things for themselves.

usual I know you hate threads like these because a lot of people seem to tar all benefits claimants with the same brush - which is wrong, you know it and I know it. (I spent several years growing up with my father on the dole)

What would you do though? In an ideal world?

How would you ensure that children do not live in poverty in this day and age?

I think I read the same article soverylucky, the Observer on Sunday last? I read it wondering how a single mother with three children, not working, could find that there could be days where she couldn't provide electricity or any food at all. And I'm saying that as a single parent whose student income is the same as income support. I'm not judging them harshly, I just don't get it - if your rent and CT is paid (as on Income Support) and you're in a council property (no rent top-up), even the Child Benefit alone for three children would be enough to provide power and basic food. Income Support etc on top and I just don't understand the problem.
The problems start I think with debt repayments, hire purchase/credit payments and perhaps some spending on luxuries like cigarettes and alcohol. Because even with the higher cost of living on a low income - such as pre-paid meters, no DD discounts etc - when you get caught in a debt spiral it's difficult to get out. Plus in these cases there must be an element of being unable to manage, for whatever reason - maybe not claiming all they are entitled to or being unable to cope with managing money.

So I don't understand completely how things can get so bad for so many families, no. But I don't share Maypole's attitude that children should be removed

It's easy to say 'force them to work' but there aren't enough jobs and some people simply can't work even if they wanted to.
In any case, I dont think that 'forcing them to work' would help, they would be just as neglectful of their kids whether they work or not and would be just as unlikely to cook meals-especially after working all day!

Ladies? don't patronize me dear .

Milamae unless we take all these children with 'feckless' parents into care,at huge expense to the tax payer, i don't feel there is any way of breaking the cycle of poor parenting and limited life expectation, what do you suggest? I mean other than a voucher scheme for benefits?.

I don't know the answer ,education is a way out ..more should be spent on education in deprived areas

Its a cycle thats hard to break ,I understand that, but the blanket blame it on the feckless parents annoys me

and Maypole I have never picked you up on your spelling

zukiecat and I am sure your children have cloths and are loved and you would never dream of buying fags when your children needs shoes

So i am not sure about post no one is talking about we are speculating about the children in the BBC documentary wether this is really down to poverty or their parents just being crap

Jumble Sales? They used to exist in the '70s but I haven't seen one advertised where I live (area of economic and social deprivation) for decades.

It's a bad thing squeaky and I blame it on the availability of seemingly cheap but in actuality throwaway and disposable clothing.

I also agree with your point about mending. My sister throws out perfectly good school polo shirts because a button has come off FFS.

If you read my post I said your be picking that out next not that you had.

Spending more on education will not work do you think that a person who would rather spend money on fags than buy their child shoes values education.

The only way for the cycle to be broken is for the parents to be tackled on the neglect

That article was so very sad.

I would introduce a hot breakfast and hot lunch free for children on benefits.
Free school uniforms .
Free bus passes and free swimming .

It just heartbreaking.

the problem with benifits, is they don't reflect where people homes are.

while on a uk hoilday, i notice i paid 20p extra in the spa for a loaf of bread than i would do at home and it could be said the same about almost everything food wise.

where as in one part of the country someone could live off benifits easily other parts they can struggle due to the area they live

"God these threads depress the fuck out of me

maypole you are an idiot

awaits deletion"

Seconded. Maypole, not only do your opinions stink, but your wilful abuse of the English language is making my eyes hurt.

usualsuspect agree education is probably the only way out.

It upsets me, on a daily basis, to see kids pregnant at 16 'cos it's the only thing they know and have ever seen from the role models in their lives.

I know we differ politically, but I know you are an educated MNer with a valid and strong opinion and I don't agree with the "vouchers are the only way" and "sterilise the lot" brigade - that is not the answer in a democracy.

I just think that some people know they are doing the wrong thing, but choose to do so anyway - that could be said across all spectrums of society of course.

I suppose if there was an answer, someone would have come up with it by now.

sorry but damp or no damp there is no excuse for allowing mould to grow.

Most damp i caused by poor ventalation and even though there might be nothing you can do bar open a window to deal with that a bottle of bleach for 30p and bit of tap water and an old rag will keep the mould at bay.

It might not be ideal to have to wipe down your walls every few days but it is better than allowing mould to grow.

But thats the whole point we don't want it to reflect anything we want it to be hard to people decided their better off working.

Green stocking in London you have free travel if your a child and 50% off if your on benefits, you can currently get a uniform grant and also swimming is free in most London councils for children.

It's not their not enough its that they spend the money on their wants and needs

Oh maypole brilliant lets , take them to court(at cost to taxpayers) fine them(of course tax payers will pay those fines) put their kids in care(again tax payer).
or we could have concrete policy, and real political action, with the appropriate funding and all agency inclusion ie health visitors, Doctors, teachers, schools, etc etc and lets finish this cycle of poor parenting now.

havent read all but agree some parents do "waste"benefit money

BUT i also dont agree with vouchers at all

and think it depends if they have debts,as these will eat into money

im on benefit and manage to bring up 3 lads who go without nothing and keep a home in good order and im responsible for all the upkeep,etc as i own it and save a little,but i budget very well,always look for a bargain,cook from scratch,dont drive and generally a tightwad at times

basically some people expect to much and you just cant have a fantastic lifestyle on benefit and nor should you

There is no answer ,there will always be neglectful parents across all sections of society

I know that these parents exist I'm not that naive ...but vouchers? come on thats a terrible idea