Return to Dickensian poverty?

[B00]

Following on from the link provided by DrFilth in a previous thread...

http://www.telegraph....tired-and-hungry.html

How is this allowed to happen in this day and age?

There's a paragraph that claims a 6th former (16/17- right?) hasn't eaten for 3 days!

Surely even the poorest family could cobble 40p together to buy a reduced loaf from a supermarket?

[cazzz1975]

I have lived on a council estatefor years, a very rough one, the only poverty houses on the estate were the ones with problems where one or both of the parents had problems with drugs or alcoholism

[jackthehat]

Many people on Electricity meters have them because they have got into previous difficulties. Their meters are set high (on an already increased tariff for card-meters, anyway) to claw this amount back.

So, spending £10 to heat an often poorly insulated, badly maintained house can mean that only £5-worth of that electricity finds its way to do what it was originally intended to do.

[Ankou]

to be truthful cazz, i live on a private estate with the same issues.

[cazzz1975]

I dont doubt it ankou, I think its a serious problem no matter where you live

[daffy654]

My son's school pi$$ me off though when it comes to food tech, if one child hadn't brought in any ingredients they used to make my son hand over any he had left which meant there was never any bits and bobs for him to bring home for use here. I'm very glad he doesn't have that lesson now that he is in year 10.
When I was at school we used to make things like shepherds pie, stew, jam tarts and sponge cakes.

[ummmm]

There's always pressure for Christmas and Birthdays. What's that company that sell you loans at the door....and you get the loan in vouchers. Then you have to pay it back week by week? Is that still going?

[B00]

There ya go ^ Good hearty, stodgy belly fillers, that's what kids need to learn to cook. Also ,not only to cook it, but where to buy it and in what quantities to get best value for money.

[daffy654]

I rent privately and our tenancy agreement says that we must have all utilities on pre payment meters. We use about £25.00 gas (heating and hot water in winter) and £15.00 electric every week (no debt,just normal payment)

[Ankou]

"When I was at school we used to make things like shepherds pie, stew, jam tarts and sponge cakes."

yes, and bread and dripping was a luxury?!

[daffy654]

Ummmm, you mean Shopacheck possibly. The problem with those type of companies is the interest you repay is extortionate. I got into the trap of using them once and was never so glad as when I finished paying it off!

[B00]

Also, if you have children under 4, and are below a certain level money wise, you are entitled to Sure Start vouchers, which are redeemable against fresh milk, powdered milk, milk formula, and fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables. This is 3.10 per week, for each child (i think anyway). That would give you some serious savings on a limited budget for food.

[daffy654]

Ankou, I used to like bread and beef dripping.
My mum was one of those who used to spend all her benefit on booze and fags so we ate mainly jam sandwiches, biscuits or bread and dripping. She regularly used to kick all 7 of us out in the morning with a pack of rich tea biscuits to last the whole day and tell us not to come home till dark. We only ever had hot meals at school.
It was much better when I was in children's homes as at least they fed me even if other aspects left a lot to be desired!

[Ankou]

ah, but would you eat it now daffy ? or would you give it to kids ?

it wasnt that long ago there was an obesity epidemic amongs the "kids of today" now they haven't got any food to eat.

[daffy654]

If my kids wanted to eat it I would have let them. I don't think I could eat it though. lol

[ummmm]

I don't know what they are called Daffy....my sister used them. Just gets you into a worse financial position. But the pressures put on parents is pretty bad...

[B00]

Whatsa gradgrind?

[Mamyalynne]

B00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gradgrind

[B00]

Ahhh right, cheers Mamya. Not sure if Steve considers me one of those Gridgrand like people? But I'll not take offence he's learnt me a new word ;-)

Oooo that's a good price Eddie. No farm shops near me, so I get what I can, Still don't think tenner for a big bag is bad, it'll last all month, and we go through a lot of spuds at Chez Boo!