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Original poster

Re: free school meal vouchers

339 replies

Hadenoughofitall441 · 06/04/2020 22:35

My mum works in a local supermarket, she told me today that at least 6 of the kids parents from dd 7 and DS 12 school came in to use them but spent them on alcohol. Now let me know if I’m being unreasonable but I find this totally out of order. She said it’s been happening last week aswell.
She said the cards have the kids names on so she knew what they were. She too is disgusted by this but obviously can’t say anything because it’s at work. One of the other customers said he thought it was wrong too.

OP posts:
dontdisturbmenow · 07/04/2020 15:35

For clarity, I am NOT saying that a couple on £98K should feel any shame at all in claiming child benefit - just pointing out the hypocrisy of anybody condemning the former but condoning the latter
I do feel they too should feel shame.

1) it’s not being spent on unnecessary pleasures. It’s being spent on lunches for the child. The family paid for the pleasures themselves
Once again, if the family to afford to buy food in the first place, they shouldn't be eligible. They probably already claim other benefits, they don't need extra if food is bought with the rest.

These are a very specific purpose and should only be used for its intended use. Why do people it actually mentions on some of them that they should be spent on alcohol and cigarettes if it's ok to do so!

Hoggleludo · 07/04/2020 15:38

@PollyPocketLucyLocket

No. It's just if your classed as low income

I just rang the school. Not all kids on free school meals.

Marieo · 07/04/2020 15:48

@Ilovelala If you're spending it on wine in Asda then you don't need it for food whatever way you swing it. I'm not really arsed, as long as children have food on their plates the economy is screwed anyway what's a few more £.

DysonFury · 07/04/2020 15:55

I fully intend to spend all £12.50 of my voucher on a naice bottle of wine. DD6 has nutritious and healthy food already and I deserve a treat. I'll be sure to enjoy the knickers hoking saddos giving me the death stare at the checkout. I might even put another tenner towards the wine to really annoy the judgemental twats and shall relish every drop.

DtPeabodysLoosePants · 07/04/2020 16:03

My FSM vouchers are valid for 2 years and are valid in John Lewis along with various supermarkets. I'm saving money at the moment by not paying out for things like bus fare and school uniform so I'm going to save the vouchers to buy uniform and shoes when they go back to school.

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 07/04/2020 16:41

Once again, if the family to afford to buy food in the first place, they shouldn't be eligible.

But as it stands, they are eligible, so it’s their money, to spend on what they like. They meet the criteria to be eligible. As long as their children are being fed they are fulfilling their responsibilities. If you disagree with who should receive that money then fine, campaign to change it. But the current situation means those people are legally entitled to that money and it isn’t a matter of opinion. It’s a fact. They are entitled, and it’s their money.

Marieo · 07/04/2020 16:58

If you disagree with who should receive that money then fine, campaign to change it

Campaign to change the criteria for free school meals sounds like it would be popular.

They are entitled

Yep some are, very much so.

and it’s their money.

Well not really, is it.

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 07/04/2020 17:16

Campaign to change the criteria for free school meals sounds like it would be popular.

If you think it’s the right thing to do- whether it’s popular or not shouldn’t be a factor.

Yep some are, very much so.

They literally are. Smile

Well not really, is it.

Yep really.

cabbageking · 07/04/2020 17:39

You need to be on certain benefits to claim these vouchers.

It is NOT the universal free schools meals for Rec, year 1 and year 2. which may be stopping anyway.

They are printed by one supplier in England and hence the same info is on all of them

bobstersmum · 07/04/2020 17:43

@DysonFury if you are on such a low income to meet the criteria for these vouchers then you can't afford wine. Use them to buy for for your daughter you selfish twat.

FazakAli · 07/04/2020 17:49

If you already have food in then you use the voucher to buy more for the following week or buy better quality. So you buy double quantities and store/freeze for a rainy day. Or if you only buy cheap brands then you can upgrade to a better quality brand. The voucher shouldn't be burning a hole in your pocket that you have to buy alcohol with it. It is there to buy food for your children and that's what it should be spent on.

Jellycatspyjamas · 07/04/2020 17:54

*You need to be on certain benefits to claim these vouchers.

It is NOT the universal free schools meals for Rec, year 1 and year 2. which may be stopping anyway*

You are aware that provision is different across the UK? A number of authorities in Scotland are giving vouchers to all recipients of free school meals, including those under universal provision for P1-3. In such cases - whether posters here like it or not - all parents of children in P1-3 are entitled to the vouchers and can indeed use them as they see fit.

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 07/04/2020 18:03

if you are on such a low income to meet the criteria for these vouchers then you can't afford wine.

I think she knows her own finances better than you do. You have no idea what her other outgoings are and how she budgets.

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 07/04/2020 18:04

Such ignorance being displayed on this thread. People talking about things they clearly have no clue about.

Tadgh · 07/04/2020 18:22

Are people seriously saying that until I have stopped receiving that £54 a fortnight I can’t buy myself a single treat? I have no intention of buying alcohol in Asda next week. But I might buy a new top or some nice chocolate or a book.

With £54 every fortnight maybe you could save a month's worth and buy your children their own uniform next year.... 😂 Just a thought.

I know everyone seems to be under the impression that it's someone else's responsibility 🤷🏻‍♀️

And people wonder why we keep getting Tory governments 🤔 it will never change because people are so fucking entitled. And rather than keeping quiet and being thankful they always seem to want to goad other people with it.

Marieo · 07/04/2020 18:25

If the vouchers are surplus to the need then people could donate food to the food banks which are more or less empty here. Or to one of the many adults in the country who can't afford to buy enough food for daring to be disabled or something out of their control. When you spend a lot of time and money trying to fill some of the gaps left by benefits, its galling to see others spending it on wine etc. And no, I don't think people should lead a miserable existense on them or not be 'allowed' certain things, but these are specifically for food, use them for it, or donate it to someone else who needs it.

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 07/04/2020 18:26

With £54 every fortnight maybe you could save a month's worth and buy your children their own uniform next year.... 😂 Just a thought.

So no answer go the question then? Didn’t think so. Haven’t the balls to stand by your conviction and say it. 😂

Tadgh · 07/04/2020 18:27

Hahaha you’ve missed the point of the posters comment by light years.

No, they used the shoe example and brought it out of context. I was using the exact same shoe example and bringing it back into context.

The context is should other people foot the bill for your children so you can spend money on non-essential things?

People seem absolutely determined to prove that it's fine.

Some of the excuses fair enough... if you can't stop them sending it and you donate it to a foodbank then absolutely fine.

Some of the excuses are laughable though. "I don't like Sainsbury's or Morrisons or Tesco or Asda so I will buy my children's food in Aldi and treat myself to wine instead"

Never has the phrase "beggars can't be choosers" been more relevant.

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 07/04/2020 18:27

but these are specifically for food, use them for it

They are! What’s so difficult to understand?

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 07/04/2020 18:29

No, they used the shoe example and brought it out of context. I was using the exact same shoe example and bringing it back into context.

The context is should other people foot the bill for your children so you can spend money on non-essential things?

No, but nice try. Maybe try answering a question for once.

Marieo · 07/04/2020 18:29

Okay, food for their children who would normally recieved a balanced, nutritious meal at school.

Tadgh · 07/04/2020 18:29

@ChandlerIsTheBestFriend

I think I did answer.

Why spend money on books / clothes for yourself / naice chocolate / anything non-essential when you can't even afford school uniform for your own children.

Priorities 🤷🏻‍♀️

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 07/04/2020 18:30

Ooh. People whose DC get FSM are beggars now. Lovely.

Marieo · 07/04/2020 18:30

Not wine.

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 07/04/2020 18:31

Okay, food for their children who would normally recieved a balanced, nutritious meal at school.

Yep, that’s what they bought. Before the voucher arrived. They used the money in their bank account. So the voucher is replacing their own money. The voucher is now their own money.