Ignoring the minute % of chancers that the tabloids might accuse of exploiting them, surely it is little short of a national disgrace that these are required in 21st century Britain?
Yes. Watching an intesting programme on bbc at the mo on credit unions before I leave for Burton. It’s all linked. You can very quickly get left behind taking on credit card debt and other loans. More often than not these credit card companies will lend money to people who either can’t afford it, or aren’t financially educated to the extent that they understand the circumstances
I’ve never had to use a food bank and touch wood that will always be the case, and I’m sure there are a minute few that will exploit it, but there are swaves of society simply being left behind. You only hear about it through reporters doing individual pieces on the news. So much goes on imo that just gets brushed under the carpet re: the poorest in our society, and if you haven’t experienced it, I believe it’s never going to resonate. I like the work football clubs do in this area. I truly believe the whole set up in this country at the moment really does sever those at the bottom to fend among themselves, that’s structurally, culturally, politically and economically. It may have always been this way, but perhaps I’m just of an age now where I think I realise that’s the case
Sainsburys have now started highlighting the foods in their stores which are "foodbank friendly" to make it easier for people to then donate at their collection points.
45,892 people, including 19,221 children were referred to foodbanks in December 2012. Last year that had grown to 159,428 including 65,662 kids.
The Trussell Trust do amazing work and it is good that the supermarkets are highlighting and assisting in distribution, but it is an absolute disgrace that this is even needed in the 5th/6th biggest economy in the world.
For context, I do donate to them, but I feel like it's a double-edged sword as this is something that the government should be sorting out themselves - not people who are already up to their eyeballs with the cost of living in London. I feel like one of the most basic reasons we pay tax is to distribute wealth to those less fortunate so that they can at least be fed and housed... it might be an overly simplistic view but if we need to bin off a project (e.g. HS2) to fund feeding the people in our country who are literally starving - why aren't we doing that? Rising homelessness and food bank usage are two things that are just not acceptable in a wealthy country, we've got the money.
Obviously it's a disgrace and needs to be tackled at the basic level.
It also needs to be tackled further up the line. Financial education is so key - teaching people how to manage finances and prevent a situation where debt getting out of control and loan sharks/payday lenders (basically the same thing) seem like a good option. Preventing many of these situations occurring is also important.
Yes. Watching an intesting programme on bbc at the mo on credit unions before I leave for Burton. It’s all linked. You can very quickly get left behind taking on credit card debt and other loans. More often than not these credit card companies will lend money to people who either can’t afford it, or aren’t financially educated to the extent that they understand the circumstances
I’ve never had to use a food bank and touch wood that will always be the case, and I’m sure there are a minute few that will exploit it, but there are swaves of society simply being left behind. You only hear about it through reporters doing individual pieces on the news. So much goes on imo that just gets brushed under the carpet re: the poorest in our society, and if you haven’t experienced it, I believe it’s never going to resonate. I like the work football clubs do in this area. I truly believe the whole set up in this country at the moment really does sever those at the bottom to fend among themselves, that’s structurally, culturally, politically and economically. It may have always been this way, but perhaps I’m just of an age now where I think I realise that’s the case
Not exactly, there have been full-length documentaries on TV* and there was a report by a UN rapporteur about poverty in the UK only last week. The Government - people like Duncan Smith when he was a minister - are the architects of most if it and vehemently deny it. I'm afraid you can't pretend it isn't political.
*One example was The Food Bank: Scotland's Hidden Hunger, made around 2015, when food poverty wasn't as bad as it is now. It's no longer available on the BBC, but you might find it on YouTube or elsewhere. "Over one million people were given emergency food in Britain last year and the numbers are growing.The Food Bank follows the stories of some of the people who get help from Scotland's busiest food bank in Dundee. These include Charlie who, after being a victim of a robbery, is left with no money to buy food, and single dad Billy, who after a long spell out of work is forced to get help from the food bank to feed his four-year-old son Jack."
some people genuinely need the help of these food banks and my heart goes out to them, but we cannot ignore that some people are not ashamed to live on handouts etc.
some people genuinely need the help of these food banks and my heart goes out to them, but we cannot ignore that some people are not ashamed to live on handouts etc.
Well you can given that it is the explicit prerequisite of this specific thread.
A miniscule percentage of users will be abusers of the system but it shouldn't be a material point in discussion about the necessity for them existing to enable the vast vast majority to survive. It's a distraction from the real issues.
Ignoring the minute % of chancers that the tabloids might accuse of exploiting them, surely it is little short of a national disgrace that these are required in 21st century Britain?
some people genuinely need the help of these food banks and my heart goes out to them, but we cannot ignore that some people are not ashamed to live on handouts etc.
Agree totally Rodders, years of unnecessary Tory austerity have lead us to this, its also worth noting, that although the Tories propaganda say more people employed, the reality is that many employed people are using food banks because they dont earn enough. Its a bloody disgrace it really is, we should be ashamed.
@Greenie just out of interest what would you propose the Labour Party or any other proposed government do to stop food banks being needed?.
Paying people a decent living wage, along with tax cuts and scrapping zero hours contracts, would be a cracking start. Since the Tory austerity the rich have got even wealthier and the middle to poorer members of society have got poorer, and have paid for the Tories austerity, the rich haven't paid, they are just very clever at getting the average man to vote for them......so they can implement austerity.
@Greenie just out of interest what would you propose the Labour Party or any other proposed government do to stop food banks being needed?.
Why should Greenie have to tell you when Labour has already spelt it out. They have said they will stop benefit sanctions and address the low pay culture that is a major reason why foodbanks are needed. It won't be instant, but it is working towards social justice rather than unfairness. Sorry, but like him or not, that is what Corbyn stands for!!!!!!
I totally agree the fact that as supposesdly one of the most prosperous nations on the planet it is a disgrace that people are unable to feed themselves
I donate to them regularly and my wife actually volunteers at them
This bullshit about unemployment never being lower and wages growing is just that, bullshit.
So many working families are on the breadline in reality but as far as government figures goes they are 'out of poverty'
In my job now as an example I'm doing more work and having more expected of me than ever however I'm due to have my worst year for wages for over a decade. Wages are not proportionate to the cost of living. I actually don't know how someone on less than 35,000 can afford to do anything more than exist to work.
And I'll throw the stereotype in as well, the gap between wealth and being poor gets bigger by the second. The volume of race to the bottom jobs is phenomenal. Prices and general cost of living goes up every year yet wages do not.
I'm glad and proud that people donate and volunteer to run food banks but it's shameful that they exist. My only solution is for people in need of that are not given cash but are fed. I know the majority are not on the fiddle for some own brand morrisons pasta however I do know a lot of people can have a poor grasp of financial priority through lack of education or lack of restraint and I think food vouchers would assist
A good example is universal credit. In principle it has some wisdom behind it and even Labour recognised the merits. But the implementation has been a disgrace - IDS himself said at the beginning that it was important money wasn't taken out, that wasn't what it was about,but that is exactly what George Osborne did. He and the Conservatives do have blood on their hands other this. As well as much suffering.
There are instances of nurses who work ridiculous long and unsocial hours to help people requiring them. Ignore the propaganda, the economy is in a mess.
I donate to foodbanks. I think it's insane that we have to in a country as rich as this, but we do.
Last year I thought it might be nice to spot someone at a bank and take them shopping. Like a supermarket sweep. Give them a budget that I'd cover (say, £75) and let them stock up on a big christmas dinner with all the trimmings and such.
I didn't do it for a couple of reasons - firstly I am not sure how to find someone in need, and secondly, would it be a bit patronising? Is it a bad idea?
It's good that they do their bit (if indeed they do, I don't claim to know)... but it's not the remotest bit their actual 'job' in the same way that it is the government's.
I donate to foodbanks. I think it's insane that we have to in a country as rich as this, but we do.
Last year I thought it might be nice to spot someone at a bank and take them shopping. Like a supermarket sweep. Give them a budget that I'd cover (say, £75) and let them stock up on a big christmas dinner with all the trimmings and such.
I didn't do it for a couple of reasons - firstly I am not sure how to find someone in need, and secondly, would it be a bit patronising? Is it a bad idea?
I imagine that the foodbanks would ask you not to do that as the donation of £75 worth of food would do a lot more for a lot more people.
also you would probably want to ask yourself some questions first that may help you make up your mind
if the pick up £50 worth of food then want to spend £25 on booze would you let them?
if on the way to the shop they were smoking premium fags would it make you question their need for your help?
while shopping you notice that they have the latest smart phone and are on it constantly, why are they struggling for food?
you realise whilst talking to them it's just a lady that lives with her other half (no kids) and she's picking up steaks and expensive sauces etc , would you be disappointed that your generosity could have been better spent in the way of a donation that helped families?
@Greenie just out of interest what would you propose the Labour Party or any other proposed government do to stop food banks being needed?.
Why should Greenie have to tell you when Labour has already spelt it out. They have said they will stop benefit sanctions and address the low pay culture that is a major reason why foodbanks are needed. It won't be instant, but it is working towards social justice rather than unfairness. Sorry, but like him or not, that is what Corbyn stands for!!!!!!
tbh i asked @Greenie a question he seemed happy enough to answer it... so no real need to get involved and praise your man of the people corbyn.
why would you stop benefit sanctions surely job seekers allowance should be for someone seeking employment?.
as per usual this has been turned into a politics debate by the same posters who get quite excited when others do it.
I donate to foodbanks. I think it's insane that we have to in a country as rich as this, but we do.
Last year I thought it might be nice to spot someone at a bank and take them shopping. Like a supermarket sweep. Give them a budget that I'd cover (say, £75) and let them stock up on a big christmas dinner with all the trimmings and such.
I didn't do it for a couple of reasons - firstly I am not sure how to find someone in need, and secondly, would it be a bit patronising? Is it a bad idea?
I imagine that the foodbanks would ask you not to do that as the donation of £75 worth of food would do a lot more for a lot more people.
also you would probably want to ask yourself some questions first that may help you make up your mind
if the pick up £50 worth of food then want to spend £25 on booze would you let them?
if on the way to the shop they were smoking premium fags would it make you question their need for your help?
while shopping you notice that they have the latest smart phone and are on it constantly, why are they struggling for food?
you realise whilst talking to them it's just a lady that lives with her other half (no kids) and she's picking up steaks and expensive sauces etc , would you be disappointed that your generosity could have been better spent in the way of a donation that helped families?
Yeah that's all fair. Probably best just donating it. I had an idealistic image of helping a small family out I guess, but there's no real way of being sure I can do that. And while I wouldn't mind buying some wine, there's no fucking way I'm paying for cigarettes!
@Greenie just out of interest what would you propose the Labour Party or any other proposed government do to stop food banks being needed?.
Why should Greenie have to tell you when Labour has already spelt it out. They have said they will stop benefit sanctions and address the low pay culture that is a major reason why foodbanks are needed. It won't be instant, but it is working towards social justice rather than unfairness. Sorry, but like him or not, that is what Corbyn stands for!!!!!!
tbh i asked @Greenie a question he seemed happy enough to answer it... so no real need to get involved and praise your man of the people corbyn.
why would you stop benefit sanctions surely job seekers allowance should be for someone seeking employment?.
as per usual this has been turned into a politics debate by the same posters who get quite excited when others do it.
I was happy to answer @palarsehater. Re your comment about politics, unfortunately the Governments Politicians ARE responsible for the growth of food banks, because they are in power, and they have made the irresponsible decisions, based on greed that has caused this sorry mess that many many thousands of decent hard working people find themselves in. Furthermore, if come the next election, and we still have the food banks in place, and we will, then anyone who votes for this government is culpable too, because they knew what they were getting into. There is no excuse for food banks to be a necessity in modern Britain, none.
Comments
I’ve never had to use a food bank and touch wood that will always be the case, and I’m sure there are a minute few that will exploit it, but there are swaves of society simply being left behind. You only hear about it through reporters doing individual pieces on the news. So much goes on imo that just gets brushed under the carpet re: the poorest in our society, and if you haven’t experienced it, I believe it’s never going to resonate. I like the work football clubs do in this area. I truly believe the whole set up in this country at the moment really does sever those at the bottom to fend among themselves, that’s structurally, culturally, politically and economically. It may have always been this way, but perhaps I’m just of an age now where I think I realise that’s the case
45,892 people, including 19,221 children were referred to foodbanks in December 2012. Last year that had grown to 159,428 including 65,662 kids.
The Trussell Trust do amazing work and it is good that the supermarkets are highlighting and assisting in distribution, but it is an absolute disgrace that this is even needed in the 5th/6th biggest economy in the world.
It also needs to be tackled further up the line. Financial education is so key - teaching people how to manage finances and prevent a situation where debt getting out of control and loan sharks/payday lenders (basically the same thing) seem like a good option. Preventing many of these situations occurring is also important.
*One example was The Food Bank: Scotland's Hidden Hunger, made around 2015, when food poverty wasn't as bad as it is now. It's no longer available on the BBC, but you might find it on YouTube or elsewhere. "Over one million people were given emergency food in Britain last year and the numbers are growing.The Food Bank follows the stories of some of the people who get help from Scotland's busiest food bank in Dundee. These include Charlie who, after being a victim of a robbery, is left with no money to buy food, and single dad Billy, who after a long spell out of work is forced to get help from the food bank to feed his four-year-old son Jack."
some people genuinely need the help of these food banks and my heart goes out to them, but we cannot ignore that some people are not ashamed to live on handouts etc.
Well you can given that it is the explicit prerequisite of this specific thread.
A miniscule percentage of users will be abusers of the system but it shouldn't be a material point in discussion about the necessity for them existing to enable the vast vast majority to survive. It's a distraction from the real issues.
Its a bloody disgrace it really is, we should be ashamed.
Since the Tory austerity the rich have got even wealthier and the middle to poorer members of society have got poorer, and have paid for the Tories austerity, the rich haven't paid, they are just very clever at getting the average man to vote for them......so they can implement austerity.
We now have a substatially weakened safety net in this country in reality- aggravated by low wages, cost of housing, and a creaking benefits system.
I donate to them regularly and my wife actually volunteers at them
This bullshit about unemployment never being lower and wages growing is just that, bullshit.
So many working families are on the breadline in reality but as far as government figures goes they are 'out of poverty'
In my job now as an example I'm doing more work and having more expected of me than ever however I'm due to have my worst year for wages for over a decade. Wages are not proportionate to the cost of living. I actually don't know how someone on less than 35,000 can afford to do anything more than exist to work.
And I'll throw the stereotype in as well, the gap between wealth and being poor gets bigger by the second. The volume of race to the bottom jobs is phenomenal. Prices and general cost of living goes up every year yet wages do not.
I'm glad and proud that people donate and volunteer to run food banks but it's shameful that they exist. My only solution is for people in need of that are not given cash but are fed. I know the majority are not on the fiddle for some own brand morrisons pasta however I do know a lot of people can have a poor grasp of financial priority through lack of education or lack of restraint and I think food vouchers would assist
Charity is the churches job, not the tax payers.
https://cafod.org.uk/ https://www.houseofmercygravesend.com/ One international charity and one local one as examples.
Last year I thought it might be nice to spot someone at a bank and take them shopping. Like a supermarket sweep. Give them a budget that I'd cover (say, £75) and let them stock up on a big christmas dinner with all the trimmings and such.
I didn't do it for a couple of reasons - firstly I am not sure how to find someone in need, and secondly, would it be a bit patronising? Is it a bad idea?
https://www.sufra-nwlondon.org.uk/what-we-do/about-us/
Don't feed the Smudge Troll. He is getting the response, any response, he, for whatever reason, needs.
also you would probably want to ask yourself some questions first that may help you make up your mind
if the pick up £50 worth of food then want to spend £25 on booze would you let them?
if on the way to the shop they were smoking premium fags would it make you question their need for your help?
while shopping you notice that they have the latest smart phone and are on it constantly, why are they struggling for food?
you realise whilst talking to them it's just a lady that lives with her other half (no kids) and she's picking up steaks and expensive sauces etc , would you be disappointed that your generosity could have been better spent in the way of a donation that helped families?
why would you stop benefit sanctions surely job seekers allowance should be for someone seeking employment?.
as per usual this has been turned into a politics debate by the same posters who get quite excited when others do it.
Re your comment about politics, unfortunately the Governments Politicians ARE responsible for the growth of food banks, because they are in power, and they have made the irresponsible decisions, based on greed that has caused this sorry mess that many many thousands of decent hard working people find themselves in. Furthermore, if come the next election, and we still have the food banks in place, and we will, then anyone who votes for this government is culpable too, because they knew what they were getting into.
There is no excuse for food banks to be a necessity in modern Britain, none.