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AIBU?

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Original poster

So UNICEF are now helping the UK to feed its' children?

30 replies

FortunesFave · 20/12/2020 21:16

Maybe I am naive but I thought that as the 6th richest country in the world, the UK could manage that themselves.

www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-55348047

Why are the government letting people become destitute? It's worse than poverty now...there are families with absolutely no money at all...nothing...and that's rising.

Why is this happening?? AIBU to be very upset and worried about this?

OP posts:
RelightMyPfizer · 20/12/2020 21:20

Lots of people have been feeding children since March (and before)

The need is real

Original poster
FortunesFave · 20/12/2020 21:26

Relight I know but food banks are one thing....international agencies are another! We usually associate UNICEF with third world countries!

OP posts:
SnackSizeRaisin · 20/12/2020 21:27

There's been an Indian charity here since 2017 providing meals for children during the school holidays.
It's nothing to do with how rich the country is, it's to do with how the wealth is distributed. Lots of other countries wouldn't need financial aid either if the richest weren't so greedy (e.g. Nigeria, Congo, Zimbabwe).
I find it horrific in one way but reassuring in another.
Jacob Rees Mogg's response was very similar to African dictators who refuse to admit there are hungry children in their country because it makes them look bad!

Gettingthereslowly2020 · 20/12/2020 21:29

You're a little late to the party, child poverty has been increasing for quite a few years now.

But yes, it is scandalous. As is the existence of food banks. They shouldn't exist because people shouldn't need them. Thanks to government cuts, many individuals and families are reliant on food banks and they provide a vital service.

We accept food banks as the norm now, no one is outraged about people in their town being in such extreme poverty that they cannot afford to feed themselves. Instead, we all (me included) pop a few tins in the donation box when we're doing our weekly shop in the hope that it will help.

Wankerchief · 20/12/2020 21:30

Anybody who plans to vote conservative in the next election will have to know they align themselves with a party that was perfectly happy to publicly starve our most vulnerable children to the extent a footballer had to stand up for them.

Gettingthereslowly2020 · 20/12/2020 21:32

And yes, if UNICEF can step in and help then that's great. Let's face it, the government clearly don't care.

Gettingthereslowly2020 · 20/12/2020 21:33

@Wankerchief

Anybody who plans to vote conservative in the next election will have to know they align themselves with a party that was perfectly happy to publicly starve our most vulnerable children to the extent a footballer had to stand up for them.
I completely agree with you
tilder · 20/12/2020 21:34

JRM is a twat of the highest order.

It should be a national scandal. Posters who voted YABU. Why?

Original poster
FortunesFave · 20/12/2020 21:35

GettingThereSlowly I am not "late to the party: thanks. I knew all about the increases but UNICEF getting involved is new...it's not like my post was about the surprise I felt that there was child poverty at all!

I agree about UNICEF being a good thing but it's shocking and upsetting that it's come to this.

OP posts:
NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 20/12/2020 21:36

Child poverty isnt all about wealth, there can be many factors - financial circumstances are one, substance abuse, mental health, physical health or disability, educational outcomes, need for upskilling in changing economies.....

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 20/12/2020 21:37

Ps but as pps have said.... people will keep on sodding voting conservative and this is what you get...

littlebillie · 20/12/2020 21:38

@FortunesFave

Maybe I am naive but I thought that as the 6th richest country in the world, the UK could manage that themselves.

www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-55348047

Why are the government letting people become destitute? It's worse than poverty now...there are families with absolutely no money at all...nothing...and that's rising.

Why is this happening?? AIBU to be very upset and worried about this?

This story is badly worded they gave a £25k grant not set up a food program. In the scheme of things it's small. I understand normal grants are £200k plus.

This is more like charity receives grant

goldenharvest · 20/12/2020 21:40

It political propaganda and a bloody shameful posturing exercise. The British government should shut off any funding.

FlatulentSproutEater · 20/12/2020 21:43

@goldenharvest

It political propaganda and a bloody shameful posturing exercise. The British government should shut off any funding.
Evening Jacob. Didn't know you posted on MN!
NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 20/12/2020 21:51

Evening Jacob. Didn't know you posted on MN!

Think his nanny probably does it for him

AnonymousAuroch · 20/12/2020 21:52

This story is badly worded they gave a £25k grant not set up a food program. In the scheme of things it's small. I understand normal grants are £200k plus.

That £25k was just for a handful of Devon charities. In total UNICEF is donating £700,000 to feed children across the UK.

Original poster
FortunesFave · 20/12/2020 22:31

700,000!

OP posts:
littlebillie · 20/12/2020 23:16

@FortunesFave

700,000!
Where is the £700k I read it was £25k to a London charity last week?
StoneofDestiny · 20/12/2020 23:23

It political propaganda and a bloody shameful posturing exercise. The British government should shut off any funding

Gosh Mr Rees Mogg - managed time off from managing your overseas accounts to pop onto Mumsnet?

Bikingbear · 20/12/2020 23:25

There's something seriously wrong in this country when we need Food Banks and UNICEF.
WM could have stopped them stepping in if they wanted to.

StoneofDestiny · 20/12/2020 23:32

The problem is food banks in the UK has been normalised - every supermarket has boxes to put your donations is. It's just scandalous how we accept this. Homelessness is also seen as a normal part of street life. Appalling.

This government do not give a stuff about ordinary working people and their problems. Utterly disgraceful - and shameful people put them in power.

I'm one of the fortunate people who are well above any poverty trap and the sort of person Tories think will get my vote. Well, not a cat in hells chance of that - I'd never vote for a government who has no moral compass and cannot see that ending poverty and homelessness should be a priority.

EnPoinsettia · 20/12/2020 23:33

Jacob Rees-Mogg’s comments were disgraceful.

littlebillie · 20/12/2020 23:46

JRM comments were not helpful, but the media have spun this poorly. The information on how the support was distributed is factually incorrect. They have given money to a charity in a school not feeding kids on the street. The process for a charity to receive such money is not easy or a fast process.

During half term the number of scammers who appeared on FB offering to feed local children and the helpfully offering up their PayPal accounts was shocking. Hundreds of ponds went to one woman and nothing else was reported.

The whole process and funding is an absolute mess. We do need leadership on this and established charities need to work together. Also if the child is hungry so is the carer. It's all so sad .

Seymour5 · 21/12/2020 08:09

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

Child poverty isnt all about wealth, there can be many factors - financial circumstances are one, substance abuse, mental health, physical health or disability, educational outcomes, need for upskilling in changing economies.....
Yes its complex. Also the need for realistic support from some non resident parents, and for more affordable, social housing. Expensive debt is often all that's available to low income households.
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