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Original poster

Tories going to axe free school meals

640 replies

cannotbelievethistoday · 18/05/2017 06:46

So I have 2 children in private school.

Labour want to put VAT on private school fees, and extend free school meals to all primary children.

Tories are going to remove infant free school meals.

Bloody hell. And still people will vote Tory.

(My 2 kids are in private school - I totally agree with labour on this one)

OP posts:
Oblomov17 · 18/05/2017 11:20

And I disagree with most Tory policies.
But I actually agree with this one!!

EpoxyResin · 18/05/2017 11:22

I have never got the idea that socialists complain the Tories and Lib Dems have got us into more debt, yet they simultaneously think we should borrow more money.

What I'm saying is I don't see national debt as the horror it is portrayed as by the Tories, and yet many Tories think it's the worst thing that could possibly happen to the country whilst simultaneously overlooking the fact it has increased under the Tories!

The deficit has come down massively and I want it to keep coming down until the debt is being reduced.

I'm curious to know, in what way do you think this will benefit the country and - more specifically - your family? Because national debt is not like having a great big credit card balance hanging over your head. Serious question, what is it you believe to be bad in real terms about national debt?

MaQueen · 18/05/2017 11:22

I always thought it madness that the pupils at DDs primary got free school meals. Their school was in a very naice village, populated by MC professional parents FFS. Absolutely zero need for any child to have a FSM.

Same with the heating allowance for pensioners. Several of my elderly relatives are very affluent retired professionals - it's insane that they get this allowance.

Sallystyle · 18/05/2017 11:25

How do people know who gets FSM? I certainly never shouted it from the rooftops as a kid

Back in the day we had dinner discs and had to line up in a special line. I have no idea why they ever thought it was a good idea!

MusicToMyEars800 · 18/05/2017 11:25

if they can afford these things, they shouldn't get it for free....

MusicToMyEars800 · 18/05/2017 11:25

if they can afford these things, they shouldn't get it for free....

MusicToMyEars800 · 18/05/2017 11:26

I don't know why that posted twice Confused

SusannahL · 18/05/2017 11:27

The thing about Labour is that of course they can and will promise the earth to get votes, because they know they don't have a cat in hells chance of getting elected.

Everyone needs to be very aware of that fact, especially all the Lefties on here.

I am so glad to be aware that most of the views expressed on Mumsnet are not representative of the country as a whole!

I learned that during the run up to the referendum when I was getting very alarmed indeed at all the 'remainers' on here!

SoupDragon · 18/05/2017 11:31

But labour gave it to all families was just a cheap trick to win over voters

Wasn't it the coalition government?

JamieXeed74 · 18/05/2017 11:31

what is it you believe to be bad in real terms about national debt?

Right now and maybe for a few years (fingers crossed) the debt isn't a massive problem. However with a large deficit the debt increases and when interest rates rise the debt interest payment rises and then it snowballs... And its our children that have to deal with the consequences.

Why do you think our tax money is better spent on debt interest rather than schools and hospitals?

makeourfuture · 18/05/2017 11:34

I have never got the idea that socialists complain the Tories and Lib Dems have got us into more debt

Because it is the Tories who trot out the imbecilic line that all debt is bad. And yet debt has increased tremendously during their lengthy tenure.

makeourfuture · 18/05/2017 11:37

If the Tories would just give one little happy hoot about growth....even give it a sideways glance....the entire economic picture would change.

Focusing on debt (and failing at it) is a crisis of low expectation.

Aim for shit....Make shit your sacred cow. You get shit.

JamieXeed74 · 18/05/2017 11:39

and yet debt has increased tremendously during their lengthy tenure
So are you in favor of increasing borrowing and therefore debt or decreasing borrowing and therefore debt?

EpoxyResin · 18/05/2017 11:40

However with a large deficit the debt increases and when interest rates rise the debt interest payment rises and then it snowballs...

This is how personal/household debt works because it is within a closed system. National debt is not; the economies of the debtors and lenders are constantly in flux, which changes the landscape of the debt somewhat. Debt which increases does not always snowball if stringent reduction plans are not put in place, only under certain global conditions which are often unpredictable anyway! National debt ebbs and flows as economies undergo fluctuations, and in fact increasing national debt can go hand in hand with the economic stimulus and subsequent boom that is NEEDED to clear it. Economic restriction does not beget economic success, whereas in a household debt situation being frugal would be expected to beget better financial performance.

MaQueen · 18/05/2017 11:40

Agree with you Susannah DH and I were laughing that it's only a matter of time before Labour will be offering free weekly blowjobs to any bloke who votes Labour - you can how desperate they are becoming.

QueenofPentacles · 18/05/2017 11:41

origamiwarrior
Pedantic moi?made me laugh the way you pursue me as Acteaon was pursued by hounds.
oh well that's your issue. I am not the problem.
I am more concerned about children, actually.

However, I have made a point that school meal provision is set to be utterly eroded and eventually it will stop altogether.
It will.Under a Conservative Government.
Even for the poorest.
Then you will 'own' a society which is in schism.

QueenofPentacles · 18/05/2017 11:43

PS I am not dead keen on Labour either before I make someone glad.

makeourfuture · 18/05/2017 11:45

So are you in favor of increasing borrowing and therefore debt or decreasing borrowing and therefore debt?

Has it become so sacred to you - this ridiculous "debt is bad" mantra - that you can think of nothing else?

If the economy grows....just a little.....the whole picture changes.

We have the fundamentals in spades. Solid consumer base. Quality education system. Probably the best university research in the world. Stable government/rule of law. Decent infrastructure.....

Why not focus on using these to grow the economy? Why is that so hard for Tories to grasp?

/the answer is of course that they are doing just fine.

RoseandVioletCreams · 18/05/2017 11:45

Ous school is V middle class but we are borderline, it will make huge difference to us to have extra money, it doesn't sound a lot 2,50 but it does add up and you have a few hundred to clear at terms end etc.

I am happy for it to be means tested or even an opt out scheme for wealthier parents who want to pay.

Overall however I am happy for things to be means tested, as said insane millionaires are given fuel allowance when there are desperately poor pensioners choosing heat or food each year.

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 18/05/2017 11:46

I assume that the same will happen here as in US and the cereal companies will use this as a way to market to small children.

Rikalaily · 18/05/2017 11:47

A lot of people have the wrong idea about the universal FSM - It's not all about affordability for parents. Some parents just have no idea about proper nutrition and although they can afford to send in a packed lunch, it's a rubbish packed lunch. Or they can afford to send in a packed lunch but struggle to afford a proper evening meal. Having a school meal means that all the children get a decent meal to carry them through the day. Then there's also no stigma attached to FSM either.

Also, whether your KS1 child has the FSM or takes in a packed lunch (like mine do), the school still get the funding for that meal, funding that is severely needed atm.

EpoxyResin · 18/05/2017 11:48

If the economy grows....just a little.....the whole picture changes.

Not only this, but an increase in national debt is usually exactly the stimulus and economy needs for growth! Driving down spending to reduce "bad" debt can strangle an economy into recession, or at least slow it's progress. Speculate to accumulate. In periods of economic boom the debt naturally reduces, in periods of flatlined growth you need INPUT.

alreadytaken · 18/05/2017 11:48

The deficit under Labour was lower than it was under this government - until Labour had to bail out the banks. They did it without sending loads of people to food banks. The Tories increased national debt massively. They gave more money to the rich through quantative easing positivemoney.org/how-money-works/advanced/how-quantitative-easing-works/

A more effective way to boost the economy would actually have been to up minimum wage so that people spend more in their local economy or to invest in infrastructure to provide employment. Both of these increase your tax take. Oh wait -those are the sort of policies a Labour government would have followed.

JamieXeed74 · 18/05/2017 11:48

If the Tories would just give one little happy hoot about growth

"Britain will grow faster than any other major advanced economy over the next three decades as the EU’s share of global output diminishes, according to PwC."

Guess some people are never happy.

RoseandVioletCreams · 18/05/2017 11:48

the other issue is not FM are in place wouldnt it cost an absolute fortune to reverse this Hmm