Why Are Some Forced To Depend On Food Handouts In 'benefit Britain'?

[anotheoldgit]

On my visit to a supermarket today I saw shopping trolleys with notices on them asking for donations of items of food for the hungry of this country.

I cannot believe that in 2013 Britain there are people who have to depend on food handouts, especially when this country is supposed to be one of the richest in the world and taking into account the £billions we hand out freely to the rest of the world.

This is yet another time that I can say that I can never remember the time, even during the war, and pre Welfare State days, when I ever remember our local CO-OP appealing for persons to make donations of food for the hungry.

[Octavius]

sqad, are you really such a dolt than you do not understand why poverty currently in exists in the uk? I considered you were wordly wise. Clearly not.

[ummmm]

Of course benefits should be capped. It's a safety net, not a lifestyle choice.

Sqad....have you ever been in the position when you had young children where there wasn't enough money to pay your rent/bills/food?

You really think that selling your TV would make the children's lives any better?

[Sqad]

Octavius...yes, i must be a "dolt" and clearly not "worldly".......but please, explain in to me in simple terms that an "unworldly dolt" would understand.

[ummmm]

Sqad, you are judging people from a privileged position. Granted that you worked hard to get to that position but not everyone is blessed with the brains to do that and have to accept a job at £6 something an hour.

[jomifl]

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/images/thumb/8/82/Map_1._Price_level_index_for_
If the link works you will see that food in UK is cheaper than France, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Czhech Rep. Scandinavia etc.

[jomifl]

^ as ever, bugger.

[Sqad]

ummmm

\\\Sqad....have you ever been in the position when you had young children where there wasn't enough money to pay your rent/bills/food?\\\

Yes...for years...10 years at least..........but never went to Foodbanks as they were not in existence and never resorted to "begging."
I did extra work at night and weekends, never had a holiday for 5 years, kids had hand down's, wife went out to work....can't remember the other things, ..........

[ummmm]

Jom - link doesn't work.

It's not just about the price of food though. It's wages, rent/mortgage, utilities.

[ummmm]

Sqad...so you managed by working more hours? What about the people that can't work more hours because there aren't any spare hours to work?

[Sqad]

ummmm.....what if? what if? and so it goes on.

I have not received a reply from Octavius as yet, so I turn to you:

What is the answer to UK poverty necessitating "foodbanks?"

[McMouse]

//Why Are Some Forced To Depend On Food Handouts In 'benefit Britain'?//

Imho it's because they are hungry. Why are they hungry? There are many people who cannot manage their money and 'run out of week' before wage or benefit payment comes in. I expect there are some scroungers, but my hunch is that the majority are unable to budget and end up living beyond their means.

[TWR]

The Ribble Valley known as a wealthy Tory area ( We are not) our local paper last Thursday, the opening of a food bank, are we all in it together? Cameron what a hypocrisy Pratt.

[jomifl]

ummm, I know hence the bugger. As you pointed out it isn't the price of food that is the problem it is housing. The average salary here in SW France is about equal to the UK minimum wage but people get by because you can buy a 2 up 2 down for £60,000 in a small country town. There are also a lot of houses for rent a lot cheaper than the UK.

[McMouse]

//are we all in it together? // In my view yes. I am quite happy to donate food to those in need, as indeed they are presumably happy to receive it.

[Sqad]

So...I ask for the fifth and final time:

What needs to be done?

[FredPuli43]

We can all live beyond our means; I do it most weeks; and how my ex was owning a house in Juan-les-Pins and living in one in Chelsea on a declared income of £20k remains a mystery which the Revenue have never resolved, but at least she never claimed off the state. There is no doubt that there is one rule for the rich and one for the rest. However,putting envy, "ivory towers" and rural living in the South, aside , all of us have no excuse for thinking like Mr Micawber. The poorest have no more excuse for expenditure exceeding income than anyone else. Where is the evidence that they are obliged to do so?

[ummmm]

What can be done?

Raise the minimum wage?
Force landlords to reduce rents?
Do something to the housing market to make properties cheaper?
Force energy suppliers to reduce their prices?

It's not going to happen.

[ummmm]

Fred...where are people suppose to live?

[vakayu]

IMO Money management should be taught in schools,budgeting etc is not I think part of the curriculum,they seem to only encourage aspirations(no bad thing)but college and university leavers start off their working lives in debt,then acquire more debt trying to find a place to live,living within ones means is no bad thing instead of which it seems to be consistently encouraged.

[TWR]

Raise the minimum wage?
Force landlords to reduce rents?
Do something to the housing market to make properties cheaper?
Force energy suppliers to reduce their prices?

It's not going to happen. You have as much chance of the Queen coming for tea Ummmm.