No more free school meal vouchers?

[dottydotterson]

What do you think of the governments decision to end the free school meal vouchers for the summer? Do you agree or not?

I agree he has done amazingly, but there are plenty of people who spend a lot of their own time to try and improve life for children in their communities living in poverty, or trying to gather some momentum for policy changes. I would rather they were recognised (not that they do it for that), than a footballer on ridiculous amounts of money who has spent just a small amount of time tweeting. Everyone who does everything is doing fantastic.

Anything*

Ive been a single mum on full benefits (old style - tc, hb etc)
I've been a single mum working part time on the old system (16 hours was apparently the optimum to still get full benefits.)
I've been a single mum working full time on old style benefits
I've been part if a couple earning just (as in about £10pcm) over the threshold for any benefits.
I've been a single mum working full time and claiming UC as a top up.
I've been a single mum not working and claiming full UC.

I can assure you that the more I have worked the more money I had. Anyone who thinks benefit claimants are rolling in it should try living on benefits for a few months.

@Sandybval

I agree he has done amazingly, but there are plenty of people who spend a lot of their own time to try and improve life for children in their communities living in poverty, or trying to gather some momentum for policy changes. I would rather they were recognised (not that they do it for that), than a footballer on ridiculous amounts of money who has spent just a small amount of time tweeting. Everyone who does everything is doing fantastic.

The fact he’s wealthy doesn’t diminish his achievement. The lad used his position to lobby for something important.

As you say everyone who does anything is fantastic. Him included

It was mentioned at PMQs last week.

Boris Johnson didn't want to know back then.

@lyralalala I think to assume that this is all his own doing underestimates the power of PR and management in football. Maybe the club put him up to it, maybe his management. His contract is due to be extended next season I believe.

I've just listened to an interview that he did for Sky news. Seems like a nice guy, but some of the quotes I'm reading in the press certainly haven't come from him.

@TheFormerPorpentiaScamander same here. I was also on the old style benefits, when I got a job and started getting working tax credits I was better off by £80 a week.

@Abbazed that's only if you applied after the 1st April 2018. We applied just before that when my DH was made redundant and I was on Mat leave.

You're right though, if it was a new claim we wouldn't be entitled at all.

I'm quite proud of our Welsh government on this issue; guaranteeing funding is quite something. I don't understand why the other devolved governments even have to think about it.

I'm so sad at reading the experiences of some posters of now - and others when they were children. We had 'space bread' as kids. For those who don't know, that is bread with the mould cut out, leaving 'craters'.

I'm truly sorry for everybody going through hardship and as soon as I get my pay this month I'm going to donate to a foodbank.

Its shit and anybody who countenances yacht purchases as necessary, whilst the country's people are in such anxious times, is indeed a twat.

I can't wait for the next election, blue is my favourite colour but not when it comes to politicians... Boris Be Gone!

Whataballbag I'm rage-ful on your behalf.

I would like to see every single man who fathers a child be MADE to pay 50% of its upkeep, no discussion, no argument. Men who don't should be forcibly castrated so that they can't make the same 'mistake' again.

... and still have to pay for the child(ren) they've helped create.

[quote AllesAusLiebe]@lyralalala I think to assume that this is all his own doing underestimates the power of PR and management in football. Maybe the club put him up to it, maybe his management. His contract is due to be extended next season I believe.

I've just listened to an interview that he did for Sky news. Seems like a nice guy, but some of the quotes I'm reading in the press certainly haven't come from him.[/quote]
I think you are underestimating him. Have a look at the stuff he’s already done through his career without the publicity.

He may have used the PR well, but the original idea I fully believe was his.

I'm a bit confused by this situation.

I've been on tax credits my entire adult life due to low income and despite working throughout the holidays I've never expected extra help re: feeding my children?

Tax credits have been increased a fraction to help. I'm really not following the train of thought on this one.

FelicisNox

If you receive working tax credits and your DC is over Year 2 at School, then you will not get FSM at all, as your income is deemed too high.

If you do not receive working tax credit, (because you dont work) and just get child tax credit then your child will get FSM until they leave school.

Basically you (& I ) earn too much to get FSM after Year 2.

I earn £1200 a month, but its too high with WTC & CTC on top.

I just looked at the benefit calculator.

If you dont work and have 1 child, and your rent is £650 & C.Tax £100 a month, after paying both of those, you would have £132.50 a week for food & all bills.

That wont go far enough to pay for extra food all summer.

As far as I am aware, the government have uturned on this. The vouchers were issued for the Easter and halfterm holiday, and look to be issued for the summer as well.

@hoodathunkit I agree, I was behind a mother in asda while she was spending 4 weeks worth of meal vouchers, as I was getting in my car I noticed she had brand new car, I just thought how do you get food vouchers when you can afford a new car. I know I shouldn't judge but it was just a thought.

@lindyloo57 probably a motability car

I think Mumsnet should be applauded for this thread. The frank exchange of views is crucial (it also confirms what the German Chancellor said that Covid would reveal the best and worst in us.). It is also revealing and identifies where action is needed and possible and where action is needed but hard to succeed. This thread should be read by all MPs and Members of the House of Lords. No joke.

Social Services should open for parents to visit so they could access those in need, via all connected paperwork. This would stop scrounges and give help to those in need. This country cannot afford to give it to everyone regardless. Young people have now got used to many things that eat into the family budget (iPhones broadband other gadgets) but the benefits only provide for necessities. Social Services at local level should be able to access those in their local area. Anyone affected should contact/lobby their MP - county Councillors and make it happen. They always say they are there to serve the community

Petlover9 you consider broadband a luxury?
I imagine it would cost a lot more to add this to the job role of already over stretched social services than just to issue

FelicisNox so you expect tax credits to see you through month to month but not to feed your kids- I’m struggling to see the difference tbh. If income does not allow your kids to eat then yes this country should help.

Where are all these extra social services staff going to come from to check up on those claiming?

[quote lindyloo57]@hoodathunkit I agree, I was behind a mother in asda while she was spending 4 weeks worth of meal vouchers, as I was getting in my car I noticed she had brand new car, I just thought how do you get food vouchers when you can afford a new car. I know I shouldn't judge but it was just a thought.[/quote]
You know you shouldn't judge, but you did

Do you not realise thousands of people have ended up on benefits, and therefore entitled to vouchers, in the last couple of months so will still have cars and houses and big tvs that they already had?

She could also, given we're in a pandemic, have been shopping on behalf of someone else.

It could have been a Motability car or someone else's car. I know two people currently insured on their parents nice cars because they are doing their shopping and the likes for them.

But judge away as you are determined to do.

@Petlover9

Social Services should open for parents to visit so they could access those in need, via all connected paperwork. This would stop scrounges and give help to those in need. This country cannot afford to give it to everyone regardless. Young people have now got used to many things that eat into the family budget (iPhones broadband other gadgets) but the benefits only provide for necessities. Social Services at local level should be able to access those in their local area. Anyone affected should contact/lobby their MP - county Councillors and make it happen. They always say they are there to serve the community

You do realise how many cuts there have been to Social Services?

Children who are battered black and blue, completely neglected and left in dangerous situations are lucky to get decent Social Services input at the moment, never mind someone who has a tight budget in a time when everyone's expenses have gone up.

@raspberryk she was parked next to me, not in a disabled bay, why not agree some people milk the system.