More than a million have used UK food banks in the past year

[Herr Tubthumper]

WTF?

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article4064690.ece

Is Cameron's UK turning into Ethiopia?

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Ethiopia doesn't have the same number of millionaires getting richer every day.

 

[mikeyjh]

WTF?

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article4064690.ece

Is Cameron's UK turning into Ethiopia?

It's okay, looks like average wages are going to be up 1.8% so there is no problem, definitely not. And growth is up, which absolutely proves that Osbourne's 'strategy' is correct.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

The biggest one in Brighton currently has a 1-2 week waiting list. They're absolutely flat out

 

[algie]

Look at how much sanctioning benefits have rocketed since the Tories came to power. This includes people with mental health issues and other disabilities who have been deemed fit for work under the tougher system.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/nov/06/benefits-sanctions-jobseekers-allowance

 

[Uncle C]

Beats working.

"Thirty-six per cent of adverse JSA decisions since October were due to a failure to actively seek work, 30% due to a failure to participate in the work programme, and 20% due to a failure to attend an advisory interview."

 

[somerset]

What proportion I wonder, are formed from the much discussed migrant communities seen developing here since the new membership nations joined. A documentary I saw recently highlighted that the food banks run by charities in London in particular, were being overwhelmed by mostly migrant groups.

Disclaimer: This is an observational question, not a statement on my personal view.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

What proportion I wonder, are formed from the much discussed migrant communities seen developing here since the new membership nations joined. A documentary I saw recently highlighted that the food banks run by charities in London in particular, were being overwhelmed by mostly migrant groups.

Disclaimer: This is an observational question, not a statement on my personal view.

not the ones in Brighton from my experience, but then Brighton is completely different to London immigration wise. Homeless services in the city, however, do see a lot of immigrant clients (mainly Lithuania and Poland)

 

[happypig]

What proportion I wonder, are formed from the much discussed migrant communities seen developing here since the new membership nations joined. A documentary I saw recently highlighted that the food banks run by charities in London in particular, were being overwhelmed by mostly migrant groups.

Disclaimer: This is an observational question, not a statement on my personal view.

Being poor and hungry is the same no matter where you were born.

 

[Biscuit]

It's a national disgrace. Make no bones about it.

Unemployment is down and yet people are still going to food banks. Why could that be? The jobs aren't paying. People are being pushed further and further into poverty. Zero hour contracts are good for businesses but not for the individuals and leaves them very little or no rights. David Cameron recently stated, "We want to make work pay". Well evidently that's not happening. The plan is not working, unless of course the plan was to suck up to big business, give mates a tax break and **** over the working classes. Perhaps the minimum wage needs adjusting? Not everyone can turn up to the House of Lords for five minutes and claim their £300.

We've never had so many millionaires in this country, yet there people people queuing for food hand-outs because they can't afford to EAT. Millionaire's are getting a £40,000 TAX CUT while this is happening.

What's the solution? Pay better wages? How do we get there? Build more houses, bring down the welfare bill, stimulate the economy and create jobs. Surely that's a better solution than keep house prices inflated with a 'help to buy' scheme. People wouldn't need help to buy if prices were more reasonable. Why is the Government footing the bill for this rather than solving the actual problem?

This Government should be ashamed.

Here's the Government debate, in full, on Food Banks. The contempt shown by those in power is disgusting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSQgw9K6FT8

 

[bluenitsuj]

I saw a documentary the other day that showed many of the people visiting these food banks spend most of there money on cigarettes and alcohol, rather than food.

This is not necessarily my view but just putting the facts from the documentary out there.

 

[Ernest]

I saw a documentary the other day that showed many of the people visiting these food banks spend most of there money on cigarettes and alcohol, rather than food.

This is not necessarily my view but just putting the facts from the documentary out there.

Which documentary was that ?

 

[The Birdman]

I think that they need to try and understand the different circumstances why they are using the food banks some very interesting points on this thread, we have always had to help the poorer people however some are pulling up in big four wheel cars to collect ,some guy was saying on the radio. I have taken tin food in to the collection point makes me feel I am helping those who are less well off.

Lets all donate some tins in Sussex and it would make a big difference.(no beer)

 

[gripper stebson]

I saw a bit on the news recently about food banks. It followed a bloke of about 30 who could not pay his bills and was about to be evicted.

They filmed a cut away of him mournfully looking at all the bills he had to pay... one was for Sky Digital - £74.00. You can't help but lose a bit of sympathy at this point.

 

[Gullflyinghigh]

I saw a documentary the other day that showed many of the people visiting these food banks spend most of there money on cigarettes and alcohol, rather than food.

This is not necessarily my view but just putting the facts from the documentary out there.

Sounds a bit 'poverty porn' if I'm honest. Very easy to tar everyone with the same brush, I can't imagine it'll be too long before the usual 'benefit fraud/should get a job like me' views are aired.

I may be wrong, and I'm happy for it be pointed out if I am, but I thought many food banks require a referral of some sort prior to giving any food out? I'm sure there are some people who abuse it but, if referrals are needed, I can't think of many things that I'd hate more than having to ask for handouts to provide for my family. To actually be in the position and have no real choice must be horrible...possibly even more so when you read that there are plenty of employed people who are reliant on them as well.

 

[Deleted member 22389]

It's a national disgrace. Make no bones about it.

Unemployment is down and yet people are still going to food banks. Why could that be? The jobs aren't paying. People are being pushed further and further into poverty. Zero hour contracts are good for businesses but not for the individuals and leaves them very little or no rights. David Cameron recently stated, "We want to make work pay". Well evidently that's not happening. The plan is not working, unless of course the plan was to suck up to big business, give mates a tax break and **** over the working classes. Perhaps the minimum wage needs adjusting? Not everyone can turn up to the House of Lords for five minutes and claim their £300.

We've never had so many millionaires in this country, yet there people people queuing for food hand-outs because they can't afford to EAT. Millionaire's are getting a £40,000 TAX CUT while this is happening.

What's the solution? Pay better wages? How do we get there? Build more houses, bring down the welfare bill, stimulate the economy and create jobs. Surely that's a better solution than keep house prices inflated with a 'help to buy' scheme. People wouldn't need help to buy if prices were more reasonable. Why is the Government footing the bill for this rather than solving the actual problem?

This Government should be ashamed.

Here's the Government debate, in full, on Food Banks. The contempt shown by those in power is disgusting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSQgw9K6FT8

When employers have a ready made workforce from the EU who are happy to work on minimum wage nothing is going to change. Employers have their pick of as many people as they like. Add to this wealthy foreigners who have paid over the odds for properties in London that has fuelled the housing price increases, the downside being that nobody can afford to live in London anymore, rents are unafordable so people are slowly being pushed out and the south east and other areas of the country are having to now take the slack. It's why it is getting busier down here, and it is now why only last week they reported in The Argus that there are not going to be enough school places. It's all connected. It's not just the Tories, it was Labour as well, they have all played a part in screwing things up. I don't trust any of them. It's not going to get any better either. We need at least £9.00 per hour minimum wage, that is never going to happen.

 

[Creaky]

In 1981 the average wage was £7,000 - (£22,750)

In 1981 unemployment stood at over 2.5 million

Spending on welfare was £30 billion - (£97.5 billion)

Equivalent 2013 figures in brackets


In 2013 the figures were -

Average wage - £26,500

Unemployment - 2,5 million

Spending on welfare - £110 billion

So over the last 30 odd years average wages have increased by 16% in real terms, unemployment has stayed the same, (which means more people are working because the population has grown), and spending on benefits has increased by 12%.

A simplistic approach I accept but have people's expectations of what the state can provide grown over the last 30 odd years or has the ability to cope fallen?

 

[GOM]

Build it and they will come

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

We need at least £9.00 per hour minimum wage, that is never going to happen.

This I agree with.

 

[Paris]

Which documentary was that ?

Stella Street. They were stocking up at Mick's corner shop man!