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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Mp’s asking for £700 for FSM children

201 replies

Struggling2020 · 29/04/2020 16:30

Thoughts on this?

news.sky.com/story/amp/coronavirus-school-closures-will-worsen-north-south-education-divide-say-mps-11980290

Maybe I’m bitter (actually I AM bitter) but it’s not just the poorest kids who are struggling. In fact my friends on full benefits are the most secure right now out of all of us, they can focus 100% of their time and attention on their kids as no work to do from home and they’re still getting FSM with no worries about losing their jobs or reduction in income, intact according to them, benefits have gone up this month. (Fully appreciate this may not be the case all round)

In my experience, It’s those of us in the squeezed middle struggling! Trying to work and homeschool, struggling financially as everyone at home for lunches as opposed to usual nursery/ks1 free lunch. Worried about our jobs and what the future holds. Many of us forced onto reduced hours.

I understand statistically that those on FSM are more likely to fall behind. But is this another way of trying to disguise the issues? Trying to fit people into boxes of how we can help. The rich will be fine, the poor will be helped, the middle will be forgotten?

I think I need perspective.... my AIBU

AIBU to think it is not just FSM children who are disadvantaged by the current situation and actually, the problem is much bigger than that?

OP posts:
funinthesun19 · 29/04/2020 16:35

I don’t think it’s just FSM children who are struggling, but I also don’t like people begrudging the support they are getting. I’ve seen some really thick people on Facebook doing the typical benefit bashing. It’s boring now.

NewYearNewTwatName · 29/04/2020 16:38

is this another divide and conquer thread?

Saucery · 29/04/2020 16:39

Statistically, as a cohort, children eligible for FSM have worse outcomes educationally. There will always be those families for who that isn’t the case, perhaps those are the ones you know personally, who are equipped to fully support their children with school work etc.

I don’t really know how you can begrudge a group of children who have the odds stacked against them a bit of extra help, but then there’s nowt so queer as folk.

Original poster
Struggling2020 · 29/04/2020 16:39

I’ve not seen people begrudging the support they’re getting, but that’s a shame if you have.
I have to admit I was shocked that all KS1 didn’t have the option to continue receiving FSM’s/vouchers though. Given so many people work on a tight budget and have factored free term time meals into that, but that doesn’t by any stretch mean I think pupil premium kids shouldn’t have it either!

OP posts:
opticaldelusion · 29/04/2020 16:39

'Friends on full benefits'. Hmm. I'm interested in this category of able-bodied, working age people who are able to claim benefits whilst doing no work whatsoever.

I suspect they're a figment of a fevered right wing media but I'm interested in hearing about the myriad in this situation that the OP personally knows.

HandfulofDust · 29/04/2020 16:41

If the poor on benefits were really much better off than you you could quit your job and go on benefits yourself.

Obviously the system isn't perfect and people will be struggling for all kinds of reasons. Statistically children on FSM are less likely to have books in their home, parents who read with them and help them with school work so they're the groups being targeted. There will be other children who are suffering too but there's no option but to use a broad brush to target those most at risk.

DDIJ · 29/04/2020 16:41

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Noodledoodledoo · 29/04/2020 16:41

I wish they would just offer funding to schools across the board to be able to spend where we know it is needed. Not all FSM children will require extra support on return, some may some might not, the same with PPA students. As OP says all sorts may need help and it will be down to school staff to offer this alongside daily teaching. Who knows it could be a student who has lost a couple of family members, is just out of the pattern of coming to school, ex school refuser who has regressed due to the lack of consistency. Schools may just need extra funding to help these students out - smaller classes, tutoring support for those who need it, counselling services for those who need it.

TeaAndHobnob · 29/04/2020 16:42

It's well recognised that FSM is a poor indicator for disadvantage, OP.

But you are conflating people on 'full benefits' with people whose children are eligible for FSM but who are still working.

Your argument is very muddled.

Original poster
Struggling2020 · 29/04/2020 16:43

optical You don’t know anyone on full benefits? Confused

OP posts:
opticaldelusion · 29/04/2020 16:44

I don’t really know how you can begrudge a group of children who have the odds stacked against them a bit of extra help

I think we have the media to blame for that. If you've not got much yourself you've been trained over decades of shrieking about 'benefit scroungers' to blame the next rung down. It diverts attention away from those who are actually at the root of social deprivation and inequality - the rich.

Original poster
Struggling2020 · 29/04/2020 16:44

You have to earn under £8k a year before benefits as a household to be eligible for FSM.

OP posts:
Saucery · 29/04/2020 16:45

If you've not got much yourself you've been trained over decades of shrieking about 'benefit scroungers' to blame the next rung down

Only if you’re a bit thick, surely?

KillerofMen · 29/04/2020 16:46

I think if you're on full benefits you get two goats.

Original poster
Struggling2020 · 29/04/2020 16:47

I’m not sure if some of you have created a scenario in your head or what, I’m not saying people on FSM shouldnt get help, I’m saying it is not just FSM children who need help and this shouldn’t be the only indicator of which kids are going to need extra support.

OP posts:
Umnoway · 29/04/2020 16:48

I don’t know much about the benefit system and I think I am a part of the ‘squeezed middle’ myself but I definitely don’t begrudge a child the right to food and basic amenities.

My biggest worry really is that disadvantaged children who probably have a right to still be going to school aren’t and instead they’re maybe stuck in abusive households 24/7 being neglected. The FSM vouchers are a nice idea, if they’re actually being used to feed the children. Some parents are just shit, there’s no denying that and I’m imagining a small section of children are massively suffering right now.

noblegiraffe · 29/04/2020 16:48

I understand statistically that those on FSM are more likely to fall behind.

Those on free school meals are less than half as likely to get a strong pass in GCSE English and Maths, even before we went into lockdown and a massive reliance on online resources they are far less likely to be able to access.

£700 for catch up tuition is nothing, tbh.

opticaldelusion · 29/04/2020 16:48

I'm not really sure what this 'full benefits' term even means. UC is calculated on an individual's circumstances. What is the maximum they're entitled to will be different from someone else.

But that wasn't my question. Who are these people who are working age and able-bodied who are claiming 'full benefits' (whatever that means) without having to do any work whatsoever?

Are you really saying that people can simply make the choice to not work? That the DWP has said to them 'It's OK, you don't need a job, we'll just give you money'? Are you sure about that?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 29/04/2020 16:50

The squeezed middle are not, and will never be, suffering as much as people on benefits.

HandfulofDust · 29/04/2020 16:50

To be fair to OP I would assume that' 'full benefits' means they have no independent income outside of benefits. As opposed to someone who works on a low wage and has top ups via UC or similar.

opticaldelusion · 29/04/2020 16:52

I wish I'd heard about full benefits earlier. I'm getting on to the DWP right now and saying I'm giving up my job and can I have my full benefits instead? This is awesome!

Fatted · 29/04/2020 16:52

Firstly, not everyone on benefits is eligible for free school meals.

Secondly, in Wales children don't get free school meals in KS1.

Thirdly, if benefits are so generous, why have you not handed in your notice and signed on so that you can then receive the generous handouts as well and make sure your DC benefit from school provision?!

KillerofMen · 29/04/2020 16:53

Secondly, in Wales children don't get free school meals in KS1

Devolution high five!

The get free breakfasts though.

Sn0tnose · 29/04/2020 16:57

We’re calling them FSM children now, are we? Fucking hell.

Original poster
Struggling2020 · 29/04/2020 16:58

Full benefits, e.g not a top up - we get top up benefits and don’t get FSM’s. Full benefits, majority claiming will not be working at all. Not sure how much clearer I can be.

Thirdly, if benefits are so generous, why have you not handed in your notice and signed on so that you can then receive the generous handouts as well and make sure your DC benefit from school provision?!

Where are some of you finding some of this crap from the OP? Typical mumsnet creating an argument or scenario where it doesn’t exist. I’m saying right now, those on full benefits (e.g not working) are not the only ones struggling and that actually, are in a decent position with not having to worry about reduced income/job security/ home schooling while WFH and still getting free lunches.

I’m not saying they shouldnt get support, in saying they shouldn’t be the only indicator of who needs support.

OP posts: