To think the government has lost the plot

[Losttheplot21023]

Have namechanged for this as I know the collective view on benefit claimants, but today was the day I knew we have lost the plot as a civilised society. My dog had an accident over the weekend so I took her to the pdsa hospital today, and after discussing my financial circumstances and universal credit status, they offered me free surgery and drugs for my dog and saved my bacon completely for which I'm so very grateful. Before anyone starts I left an abusive marriage and became a single parent, had to go part time to manage logistics and it's a struggle. Doggo was bought before the split but I had to cancel her insurance when it became more expensive than my life insurance. Compare and contrast with the government who consider my part time low income too high to offer my children a hot meal every day for free which would help immeasurably, and deny me free prescriptions, dental care and help with my council tax, all of which mean life is quite a challenge. AIBU to think there's something fundamentally flawed with this?

I'm surprised that you haven't had any responses thus far.

I'm glad to hear that you've been able to get the much needed help and support for your dog, that must be a relief.

As to Free School Meals, it is disturbing to know that the cut off point for household income is so desperately low.

I really don't feel that the present government can read the room at all. They're scrabbling about robbing Peter to pay Paul and have lost sight of what it's like to choose between a pair of school shoes and warm food.

They're just desperate to stand there, before the next election and say 'hey! We've reduced inflation by half a percent and we have reduced the nhs waiting list by two percent, aren't we fantastic so vote for us!'

When you have ministers with eye watering investment portfolios and you can con Parliament into paying for your second home ( despite only living fifty miles away) and your stables and duck ponds then they will be completely out of touch when it comes to Mr or Ms Ordinary, from Ordinary Town in Ordinary shire.

Sorry, I could go on and on and on.

Saying shite like abolishing the meat tax when it was never a policy anyway is scaremongering and lying.

Hope you're ok OP.

I think the cut off for FSM is £7k. I find this ridiculous when you consider that every trial of universal FSM shows long term health savings and wellbeing improvements… The Food Foundation have some figures.

I qualify for free school meals due a bit of a loophole. I applied in lockdown when my husband left and I was on furlough and it was accepted, which in turn means I have free school meals for my dd14 and dd11 until they leave high school. I believe i will only have for dd9 until march of 2025. While I certainly earn way over £7k a year - free school meals have been an absolute lifesaver for me as a single parent. These should absolutely be extended to a much larger cross section of society.

Glad to hear your pup was taken care of ❤