Cameron Constituency Food Bank Faces Closure As Local Economy Stalls

grizzly1911

BertieUK wrote: »

There are certain areas of the UK that have had these 'large families' for generations, just dependent on benefits, and I would not like to say which areas they are, but most of our big cities will have their quota.

There must be figures to substantiate the numbers that operate this system in society, but I do not think that it is a high percentage at this moment in time, but in my honest view it is certain to get much more common place within the next decade and beyond and we must generate a resolve.

We have always had them and always will as you say it is keeping them to a minimum. in some cases it is probably better that they aren't in the system.

Generali

exarmydreamer wrote: »

Benefits have already been cut as far as they can, most who receive benefits are working but in very low paid jobs. Again, how can you cut back more and give children and families support?.

I dealt with benefits, quite often and I can truthfully say, no one receives nearly as much as stated for 4 person family.

Well haves word with the DWP as it's their calculator!

grizzly1911

Generali wrote: »

Well haves word with the DWP as it's their calculator!

Go and play with your kids for one day at least!

gravitytolls

Generali wrote: »

Thanks for that BobQ. I hoped that my perspective gained from having lived in 3.5 countries would add something to this board but apparently there's an unwritten residency qualification.

I notice that the more left leaning posters that have bothered to reply to me haven't addressed the substance of my posts, ie why do people need food banks when they are getting substantial amounts of money when on the dole if they have kids? The figures I posted are a matter of fact not something from a right wing wet dream.

Because they're not!

We have a foodbank in our area ~ middle class, primarily, seemingly affluent, but poverty is well hidden and some of our towns have a higher rate of childhood poverty than many deprived areas.

Anyhoo, I asked our Priest about the numbers using the foodbank and he told me that it is well organised by the Trussel Trust, that families and individuals are referred by social services and other agencies and most have had a benefit change or stoppage with no warning and nothing in place to aid them whilst being moved to other benefits. Some are new to the area having been moved due to domestic circumstances and work/benefits have not yet been sorted. Some are new to the country and await financial support. And some, which hadn't been anticipated, are rough sleepers, for whom the problems are more acute as they are unable to heat canned foods, microwave packaged food etc., and require specialist food support. There are a growing number of rough sleepers, those with mental health or addiction issues who've been unable to remain housed, those who've fallen on hard times, perhaps newly separated, and have been unable to get housing help.

I hope this answers your question and reassures you that the hard done by tax payer isn't being quite so royally robbed as the government and media would have you believe.

Fella

Of course if Cameron's constituency was doing noticeably better than average the Mirror would be running headlines complaining about that....

DecentLivingWage

gravitytolls wrote: »

Because they're not!

We have a foodbank in our area ~ middle class, primarily, seemingly affluent, but poverty is well hidden and some of our towns have a higher rate of childhood poverty than many deprived areas.

Anyhoo, I asked our Priest about the numbers using the foodbank and he told me that it is well organised by the Trussel Trust, that families and individuals are referred by social services and other agencies and most have had a benefit change or stoppage with no warning and nothing in place to aid them whilst being moved to other benefits. Some are new to the area having been moved due to domestic circumstances and work/benefits have not yet been sorted. Some are new to the country and await financial support. And some, which hadn't been anticipated, are rough sleepers, for whom the problems are more acute as they are unable to heat canned foods, microwave packaged food etc., and require specialist food support. There are a growing number of rough sleepers, those with mental health or addiction issues who've been unable to remain housed, those who've fallen on hard times, perhaps newly separated, and have been unable to get housing help.

I hope this answers your question and reassures you that the hard done by tax payer isn't being quite so royally robbed as the government and media would have you believe.

Thank you for one of the most well-informmed substantive and balanced debate posts I have ever read! Unlike some of the 'ignorant' (in the true meaning of the word) posts I have read here who actually think that people have access to large amounts of benefit money. Many strivers have had their support cut away arbitrarily and instantly on a pretext or excuse! I hope the Millionaire Cabinet are having a nice day in their land of lush!

Never mind, at last the truth is getting out - thanks to Twitter and the internet!

BertieUK

DecentLivingWage wrote: »

Thank you for one of the most well-informmed substantive and balanced debate posts I have ever read! Unlike some of the 'ignorant' (in the true meaning of the word) posts I have read here who actually think that people have access to large amounts of benefit money. Many strivers have had their support cut away arbitrarily and instantly on a pretext or excuse! I hope the Millionaire Cabinet are having a nice day in their land of lush!

Never mind, at last the truth is getting out - thanks to Twitter and the internet!

I agree with all comments, all my long life I have said that the rich and wealthy, those that have been unfortunate to have inherited their wealth, have not got a clue as to what it is like to live on the 'bread line' they sit there in their 4x4's parked on double lines because many of them have a total disregard for even the Law never mind the less fortunate who they look down on as though we are a piece of refuse.

ILW

BertieUK wrote: »

I agree with all comments, all my long life I have said that the rich and wealthy, those that have been unfortunate to have inherited their wealth, have not got a clue as to what it is like to live on the 'bread line' they sit there in their 4x4's parked on double lines because many of them have a total disregard for even the Law never mind the less fortunate who they look down on as though we are a piece of refuse.

You need to look closer to home and ask yourself why you never got the 4x4 and all the trimmings.
I know plenty of "working class" people who seem to have all the things that you seem to think are reserved for those with inherited wealth.

vivatifosi

Morning everyone. Can't we all agree to disagree and not get personal, today of all days?

As has been mentioned several times, foodbanks are not there to be a lifestyle choice. They are there to help the needy whose hard times have become hard and over a short period of time (generally 3 days food). Food and shelter are extreme examples because whatever people think about fags, booze, Sky and iPhones, food and shelter are an absolute necessity. Sometimes our safety net has a hole in, we just need to accept this.

Rather than thinking of it in terms of not spending benefits wisely, perhaps we should think of it as a response to economic shock on a really micro - ie individual - scale.

BertieUK

ILW wrote: »

You need to look closer to home and ask yourself why you never got the 4x4 and all the trimmings.
I know plenty of "working class" people who seem to have all the things that you seem to think are reserved for those with inherited wealth.

It is quite obvious that you certainly live a different lifestyle to what I have been accustomed to otherwise common sense would prevail. You cant spend what you have not got.

I for one do not like being in debt so perhaps that is why a 4x4 never appeared on my shopping list as the welfare of my family came first.

May you all have a very Merry Christmas from whatever lifestyle you may come from.