Poor People in the Uk??????

[Abdulmajid]

In the news today some Colonel was harping on about how poor some soldiers in the UK are and I quote "Can not afford to eat".

Now don't get me wrong our boys and girls deserve a lot more than than starting salary but they get fed on base whether free of charg or with huge subsidies.

But my question is, are there really working people in the UK who can not afford to eat????

This is in light of the fact Jamie Oliver can feed a family of 4 for a fiver.

Yes, if I rented a three bedroom apartment in Mayfair and bought an Aston Martin I would be as skint as hell, but I will still eat, just not lobster and oysters.

Is the credit crunch really that bad here? Surely the car, clothes shopping and entertainment comes after food. And if you are going hungry, move to a smaller place.

More of a rant than a question, but any views?

[andrea81]

Just want to mirror what Kathyan and 4GS said really, Soldiers DO work very hard and are prepared to do what most in this country are not prepared to do! So lets not bash the forces please!

If you want to have a go at the 'over' payed, try footballers and those who wont work among other!

[WoWo]

"1) Rent
2) WO + Sgts Mess fees
3) Community Charge,
4) Child care provision "

With all due respect what the hell are you lot on, just because your in the army why should you not pay those things like the rest of us.

Nobody forced you in to the army, it's the same as any job, if you don't like the pay don't do it.

As for Soldiers protecting us etc etc, a vast majority of them are half way round the world involved in illegal wars (not their fault I know). As for us not speaking German, I think you will find Joe Public had as much influence than your general army types, if there was a clear threat of invasion from a power hell bent on taking over the world you would find many people would put themselves forward.

Anyway back to the question.... there should be nobody in this country who is poor enough not to feed themselves, there are plenty of benefits available which is the very worst case should at least provide enough to feed somebody.

[Kathyan]

I am not complaining about paying rent or council tax or any of the other things you mention WoWo. I was just pointing out that some people think that we don't have to pay them. What does annoy me more than anything, though, is the fact that because my OH lives in the Mess and I live at home, we have to pay for two TV licences.

[Booldawg]

TBH I have every bit of admiration for someone who joins the services; especially in todays climate whereby there is a real threat of getting seriously injured or worse. The army have to put up with alot - who can forget them bailing out our lazy, two job, overpaid whinging firefighters using equipment dating back to the 1950s.

I live in an army town and my previous posts were drawn upon a tongue in cheek view of some of the younger lads I see about town.

With the constant news of failing or inadequate equipment, poor compensation pay and little or support when all goes wrong it makes me wonder if the government spend too much time and energy on its constantly whinging teachers, policemen and other civil servants and not enough on what is easily the best and most dedicated fighting force in the world.