Teachers pay for pupils breakfasts...

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:57 am

Teachers pay for pupils breakfasts after losing funding | This is Bristol

A school In Bristol has seen teachers forced to pay for their pupils breakfasts out of their own pockets after the charity that provided them went bust.

I don't get this....Where are the parents? Why are teachers paying for this food? In fact, where's the government funding other schools receive?

I have a school next door to my home where children can be dropped off at 8 am for working parents.... they get a cooked breakfast which Is paid for by the parents.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:00 am

Breakfast clubs are forced to ask for 'food aid' - news - TES

Unprecedented numbers of schools are turning to charities for “food aid in order to run breakfast clubs for their most vulnerable pupils, TES has learned.

Teachers are struggling to meet the costs of offering breakfast to pupils because of pressure on budgets and an increase in demand from children whose families have been affected by the recession, charities report. Figures suggest that more than 3,000 clubs closed last year.

Magic Breakfast, which supports more than 200 breakfast clubs in primaries in England, said that the number of schools on its waiting list for “food aid had quadrupled in the past three months.

Kellogg’s, which launched a campaign at the end of last year to support breakfast clubs, said that 1,500 schools had applied for about 500 food grants worth £450 each. The campaign was initially launched after the company said it had been inundated with telephone calls from schools requesting support because of “school budgets getting tighter.

It costs a school approximately £10,000 a year to run a breakfast club for up to 50 children, with £6,000 being spent on staffing costs and £4,000 on food. Schools often ask for a contribution from parents to help cover their costs, but concerns have been raised about increasing numbers of families being unable to pay.

“We usually have 15 to 20 breakfast clubs on our waiting list, said Carmel McConnell, founder of Magic Breakfast, which provides free food to schools to give to pupils. “The volume has gone up drastically to 80 in the past three months. The fact that schools are applying to us for emergency food aid is shocking.

“As the recession is hitting, we are seeing more financial hardship in families and more families that are relying on breakfast clubs as a way of feeding their children.

flopstock · Post by **flopstock** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:52 am

Perhaps some of the unemployed parents could be volunteering their time to these programs that directly benefit their children. That would cut back on some staff costs.

I am a volunteer in every extracurricular program my daughter participates in at her school. If I can do that while working a minimum of a 55 hr week, so can these folks who want the breakfast service for their children.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 7:03 am

flopstock;1405493 wrote: Perhaps some of the unemployed parents could be volunteering their time to these programs that directly benefit their children. That would cut back on some staff costs.

I am a volunteer in every extracurricular program my daughter participates in at her school. If I can do that while working a minimum of a 55 hr week, so can these folks who want the breakfast service for their children.

I totally agree.

Another thing I don't get Is that school breakfast clubs are typically for children who arrive earlier that the other kids at 9 am.... Like my school, they arrive an hour earlier because the parents work......... If the parents work, why can't they pay something toward the breakfast?

flopstock · Post by **flopstock** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 7:30 am

Mine does pay when she goes early. Our system has student cards that they have to wear all day. Hers gets loaded with her cafeteria funds and it gets swiped every time she goes through line. Kids that can't afford it have the exact same card, just coded differently. They also swipe their card. The kids have no idea who can or can't afford their meal. Probably they don't even know whether they pay or not.

When it gets low, I get an email and reload it. As an added benefit, I can go on-line and see what my daughter has been eating lately.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 7:36 am

flopstock;1405497 wrote: Mine does pay when she goes early. Our system has student cards that they have to wear all day. Hers gets loaded with her cafeteria funds and it gets swiped every time she goes through line. Kids that can't afford it have the exact same card, just coded differently. They also swipe their card. The kids have no idea who can or can't afford their meal. Probably they don't even know whether they pay or not.

When it gets low, I get an email and reload it. As an added benefit, I can go on-line and see what my daughter has been eating lately.

That's a bloody good system.....

Post by **Betty Boop** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 8:12 am

oscar;1405494 wrote: I totally agree.

Another thing I don't get Is that school breakfast clubs are typically for children who arrive earlier that the other kids at 9 am.... Like my school, they arrive an hour earlier because the parents work......... If the parents work, why can't they pay something toward the breakfast?

I somehow think that working parents will be contributing. My children are both entitled to attend a breakfast club because we are a family living on the breadline. Until now they've not really liked it and they have their breakfast here at home. If my money gets any tighter they are going to have to go cos right now I'm finding it difficult to buy enough groceries for each week.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 8:26 am

Betty Boop;1405508 wrote: I somehow think that working parents will be contributing. My children are both entitled to attend a breakfast club because we are a family living on the breadline. Until now they've not really liked it and they have their breakfast here at home. If my money gets any tighter they are going to have to go cos right now I'm finding it difficult to buy enough groceries for each week. The Impression I got from local news on TV today was that the teachers are paying for breakfast for all the pupils.

If those pupils have parents who work, then why arn't the working parents paying for their kids breakfast and If those pupils who's parents are unemployed, then why arn't these parents giving their kid breakfast at home before they leave for school?

flopstock · Post by **flopstock** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 8:35 am

Betty Boop;1405508 wrote: I somehow think that working parents will be contributing. My children are both entitled to attend a breakfast club because we are a family living on the breadline. Until now they've not really liked it and they have their breakfast here at home. If my money gets any tighter they are going to have to go cos right now I'm finding it difficult to buy enough groceries for each week.

Not to change the subject, but how old are your kids now? Mines 13 1/2 now.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 8:48 am

oscar;1405510 wrote: The Impression I got from local news on TV today was that the teachers are paying for breakfast for all the pupils.

If those pupils have parents who work, then why arn't the working parents paying for their kids breakfast and If those pupils who's parents are unemployed, then why arn't these parents giving their kid breakfast at home before they leave for school?

If they are paying for all the children I would guess these children are very deprived. Our school does not provide free breakfast for all, working parents have to send them to the breakfast club within the daycare nursery over the road from the school. The school only provides a breakfast club for free to pupils who are eligible for free school meals. To be eligible for free school meals you have to be on full benefits. Once you come off those benefits the free school meals is taken away so I don't believe that working parents are not paying a contribution to breakfast.

Un-employed parents would actually be entitled to free school dinners and therefore free school breakfast if their schools provide it. There are a lot of parents that are actually too ashamed to apply for free school meals.

I would imagine un-employed parents are just as hard up as me, it is getting harder and harder to feed the children, currently I have to juggle money between gas, electric and food. Cold week, we get less food. Heating not needed, yippee we have more money to spend on food.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 8:50 am

flopstock;1405511 wrote: Not to change the subject, but how old are your kids now? Mines 13 1/2 now.

Eldest lad is now 15, daughter is 10 going on 30 :wah: Little laddy is 15 months now.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:05 am

Betty Boop;1405508 wrote: I somehow think that working parents will be contributing. My children are both entitled to attend a breakfast club because we are a family living on the breadline. Until now they've not really liked it and they have their breakfast here at home. If my money gets any tighter they are going to have to go cos right now I'm finding it difficult to buy enough groceries for each week.

Betty, are you getting all the benefits you are entitled to ? the system is very good at not telling you what you can claim.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:13 am

oscar;1405514 wrote: Betty, are you getting all the benefits you are entitled to ? the system is very good at not telling you what you can claim.

Yes, I have all I should get, apart from maintenance from the ex as the children are here 24/7 again after refusing to see him again. I need to text him to remind him to pay up but you know what, I also just fancy a quiet life without abuse and him seeking to seek revenge on me. He still thinks to this day that by paying money to my bank account I will fritter it on me and not do anything with it for the children. Fritter it away? :wah: Chance be a fine thing. I do need it though, I'm behind over £500 on the rent now as I can't afford to live here any more, private rent has gone up and up and the benefit paid out is now a major shortfall each month.

Life kinda sucks to be so poor, fed up with it, and yes, I've looked to work, the figures don't add up, so much gets taken away once you earn a pittance that it's not viable. That's why so many single mothers are in my exact same position, going stir crazy with no options but to work in a school when their youngest is three and entitled to some free childcare. Britain better start building a whole host of schools to employ all these single mothers they think should find a job in a school!

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:23 am

Betty Boop;1405516 wrote: Yes, I have all I should get, apart from maintenance from the ex as the children are here 24/7 again after refusing to see him again. I need to text him to remind him to pay up but you know what, I also just fancy a quiet life without abuse and him seeking to seek revenge on me. He still thinks to this day that by paying money to my bank account I will fritter it on me and not do anything with it for the children. Fritter it away? :wah: Chance be a fine thing. I do need it though, I'm behind over £500 on the rent now as I can't afford to live here any more, private rent has gone up and up and the benefit paid out is now a major shortfall each month.

Life kinda sucks to be so poor, fed up with it, and yes, I've looked to work, the figures don't add up, so much gets taken away once you earn a pittance that it's not viable. That's why so many single mothers are in my exact same position, going stir crazy with no options but to work in a school when their youngest is three and entitled to some free childcare. Britain better start building a whole host of schools to employ all these single mothers they think should find a job in a school!

I'm so sorry for you. I just wondered because Citizens advice have a benefit advisor that can see If there's anything that can be claimed as extra. It's worth wasting an hour just to see.

There Is a job shortage... Is there anything you can do as self employed or working from home?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 1:14 pm

I know there are alot of programs popping up in the communities and schools for students to have food sent home with them for the weekend.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 1:33 pm

chonsigirl;1405573 wrote: I know there are alot of programs popping up in the communities and schools for students to have food sent home with them for the weekend.

That's so sad.

In England we are seeing more and more food banks cropping up.

Staggering rise of the British food bank: One opens every week as families are only a 'pay packet away from not having any money' | Mail Online

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 2:17 pm

I have no problem with food distribution. I'd prefer people work less anyway.

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:04 pm

flopstock;1405493 wrote: Perhaps some of the unemployed parents could be volunteering their time to these programs that directly benefit their children. That would cut back on some staff costs.

I am a volunteer in every extracurricular program my daughter participates in at her school. If I can do that while working a minimum of a 55 hr week, so can these folks who want the breakfast service for their children.

Wouldn't that cause another problem? That those laid off, made redundant, would then themselves have to rely on programs for themselves & their kids?

Why don't we all just volunteer then no one has to pay us? I'm all for volunteers, but I question laying off paid staff. Here, we laid off so many government workers that they now qualify for food stamps (benefits) & so people are now complaining there are too many on the food dole.

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:08 pm

Ahso!;1405603 wrote: I have no problem with food distribution. I'd prefer people work less anyway.

People used to work less, in the sixties housing was so low you could pay your rent with a part-time job. People couldn't wait to retire & live life at last. Now it's running just to stay in the same place.

I remember GWB at an event some years back. A woman in the audience told him she had three jobs & he complemented her saying "This is the American Way". Yes, thought I, for schmucks.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:27 am

AnneBoleyn;1405639 wrote: Wouldn't that cause another problem? That those laid off, made redundant, would then themselves have to rely on programs for themselves & their kids?

Why don't we all just volunteer then no one has to pay us? I'm all for volunteers, but I question laying off paid staff. Here, we laid off so many government workers that they now qualify for food stamps (benefits) & so people are now complaining there are too many on the food dole.
The Daily Mail covered this story last night and stated the parents In the article were just lazy and selfish.... I'm Inclined to agree...

I'm also surprised this Is happening In the Knowle region of Bristol. I have canvassed there and there's a real feeling of community spirit.

I agree about volunteers though.... I just don't get why anyone In this day and age would expect the authorities or other people to feed their child. School dinners Is another thing entirely, the children are In school but surely not when they first arrive?

As I said before, the school next to me supplies a cooked breakfast for the working parents kids but they pay.... why do these parents expect someone, anyone else to pay for It.?

Talking of volunteers... I remember the day, someone knocked on my eldest brothers door and said they were collecting for the school swimming pool. He told them to wait there and he came back with a bucket of water.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:48 am

I don't actually expect the school to feed my children breakfast. The sad reality is that money is bloody tight and in the future I may have to sadly rely on this service.

I really wish you would refrain from labelling all people on benefits as lazy and selfish. There are many like me who are struggling to make ends meet we're neither lazy nor selfish. I'm sure there are also those who milk the situation and get away with, it's papers like the Hate Mail that are generating ideas in peoples heads that all benefit recipients are scroungers. Why anyone would want to read such filth is beyond me.

flopstock · Post by **flopstock** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:50 am

AnneBoleyn;1405639 wrote: Wouldn't that cause another problem? That those laid off, made redundant, would then themselves have to rely on programs for themselves & their kids?

Why don't we all just volunteer then no one has to pay us? I'm all for volunteers, but I question laying off paid staff. Here, we laid off so many government workers that they now qualify for food stamps (benefits) & so people are now complaining there are too many on the food dole.

This is a meal that is not being funded as it is. If all the teachers are pitching in, it is only right that the parents pitch in(in some manner).

At our school events, a couple of hundred of chairs are set out in the gym. The cafeteria has cookies dropped off by parents. The building and cafeteria crews work these after hours events. Parents pitch in and help them clean up and put away. I have never had one of them complain I was costing them a half hours pay. I would certainly appreciate the hand, myself.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 10:17 am

Betty Boop;1405696 wrote: I don't actually expect the school to feed my children breakfast. The sad reality is that money is bloody tight and in the future I may have to sadly rely on this service.

I really wish you would refrain from labelling all people on benefits as lazy and selfish. There are many like me who are struggling to make ends meet we're neither lazy nor selfish. I'm sure there are also those who milk the situation and get away with, it's papers like the Hate Mail that are generating ideas in peoples heads that all benefit recipients are scroungers. Why anyone would want to read such filth is beyond me.

Nowhere In this thread have I stated that I believe single parents are lazy or selfish.

Nowhere have I stated that the Daily Mail has said the same.

I said that the DM deemed the parents as selfish and lazy. The emphasis on the word 'parents' not single parents.

You have jumped to conclusions that It what I or the DM believe In this case.

What I have said In this thread Is that If the parents are employed, they should be paying for their childs breakfast. If they are unemployed, they should be giving a child a breakfast at home before they leave for school..... That Is what thousands of parents do and Is has absolutely nothing to do with any parent being single.

There Is no Inference anywhere In this thread that I am targeting single parents... that's your Imagination.

I have two Immediate neighbours who are single Mums... One Is bone Idle and thinks the world owes her a living because she has kids and would expect someone else to pay for her kids food, the other who has three young children gets up at 5 am to clean her house and cook a breakfast for her kids before she goes to work full time. She expects to pay hers and her kids way In life... when we talk of single parents, we rae talking about Individuals.... not as a whole.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 10:43 am

oscar;1405698 wrote: Nowhere In this thread have I stated that I believe single parents are lazy or selfish.

Nowhere have I stated that the Daily Mail has said the same.

I said that the DM deemed the parents as selfish and lazy. The emphasis on the word 'parents' not single parents.

You have jumped to conclusions that It what I or the DM believe In this case.

What I have said In this thread Is that If the parents are employed, they should be paying for their childs breakfast. If they are unemployed, they should be giving a child a breakfast at home before they leave for school..... That Is what thousands of parents do and Is has absolutely nothing to do with any parent being single.

There Is no Inference anywhere In this thread that I am targeting single parents... that's your Imagination.

I have two Immediate neighbours who are single Mums... One Is bone Idle and thinks the world owes her a living because she has kids and would expect someone else to pay for her kids food, the other who has three young children gets up at 5 am to clean her house and cook a breakfast for her kids before she goes to work full time. She expects to pay hers and her kids way In life... when we talk of single parents, we rae talking about Individuals.... not as a whole.

ermmm... I never mentioned single mums. I mentioned 'all people on benefits' and 'there are many like me' meaning parents in general, whether they be single mums/dads, or couples.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 10:50 am

Betty Boop;1405704 wrote: ermmm... I never mentioned single mums. I mentioned 'all people on benefits' and 'there are many like me' meaning parents in general, whether they be single mums/dads, or couples.
And nowhere has It been stated here or by the DM In this case that people on benefits are lazy or selfish.

There Is no way that the school we are discussing would be full of a) Single parent kids or b) all parents on benefits. It's odds on that there would be a combination of both In this particular school.

I happen to find It unacceptable that neither can supply a basic breakfast for their child.

theia · Post by **theia** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 10:57 am

oscar;1405698 wrote: Nowhere In this thread have I stated that I believe single parents are lazy or selfish.

Nowhere have I stated that the Daily Mail has said the same.

I said that the DM deemed the parents as selfish and lazy. The emphasis on the word 'parents' not single parents.

You have jumped to conclusions that It what I or the DM believe In this case.

What I have said In this thread Is that If the parents are employed, they should be paying for their childs breakfast. If they are unemployed, they should be giving a child a breakfast at home before they leave for school..... That Is what thousands of parents do and Is has absolutely nothing to do with any parent being single.

There Is no Inference anywhere In this thread that I am targeting single parents... that's your Imagination.

I have two Immediate neighbours who are single Mums... One Is bone Idle and thinks the world owes her a living because she has kids and would expect someone else to pay for her kids food, the other who has three young children gets up at 5 am to clean her house and cook a breakfast for her kids before she goes to work full time. She expects to pay hers and her kids way In life... when we talk of single parents, we rae talking about Individuals.... not as a whole.

No-one was saying that you had!

Post by **Betty Boop** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 11:00 am

oscar;1405706 wrote: And nowhere has It been stated here or by the DM In this case that people on benefits are lazy or selfish.

There Is no way that the school we are discussing would be full of a) Single parent kids or b) all parents on benefits. It's odds on that there would be a combination of both In this particular school.

I happen to find It unacceptable that neither can supply a basic breakfast for their child.

I find it unacceptable to have a discussion with you Oscar. It goes round and round in circles where you make precious little sense then suddenly you'll pop back in and say 'I totally agree with you'.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 11:00 am

theia;1405708 wrote: No-one was saying that you had!

Betty Is a single mum on benefits. It was fair to assume from " I really wish you would refrain from labelling all people on benefits as lazy and selfish. There are many like me who are struggling to make ends meet we're neither lazy nor selfish" that I was Implying they were.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 11:05 am

oscar;1405711 wrote: Betty Is a single mum on benefits. It was fair to assume from " I really wish you would refrain from labelling all people on benefits as lazy and selfish. There are many like me who are struggling to make ends meet we're neither lazy nor selfish" that I was Implying they were.

Off to do homework with daughter, please may I have a translation of the above post.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 11:37 am

Betty Boop;1405712 wrote: Off to do homework with daughter, please may I have a translation of the above post.

Put It this way Betty.... could you point to where I stated In this thread that quote "I really wish you would refrain from labelling all people on benefits as lazy and selfish.". where I stated that?

A loaf of bread can be bought for 45 pence times 2

Two tins of beans at 15 pence each.

A pack of basics bacon, £2

18 eggs at £1.90

A box of basic cereal, £1

2 Cartons of juice at 49 pence each

4 pints of milk at 99 pence

Enough there for 5 school day breakfasts for two children = £8.07 divided by 5 school days = £1.61 divided by two= 80 pence per child for the day.

If you cut out the cooked breakfast.... 3 boxes of cereal £2.97, 4 pints of mile 99p, 3 loaves of bread £1.35 = £5.31 divided by 5 school days = £1.06 for two chicldren for the week.

In this country of child support payments and welfare, I do not believe that any parent can not give their child a breakfast.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 1:53 pm

oscar;1405714 wrote: Put It this way Betty.... could you point to where I stated In this thread that quote "I really wish you would refrain from labelling all people on benefits as lazy and selfish.". where I stated that?

A loaf of bread can be bought for 45 pence times 2

Two tins of beans at 15 pence each.

A pack of basics bacon, £2

18 eggs at £1.90

A box of basic cereal, £1

2 Cartons of juice at 49 pence each

4 pints of milk at 99 pence

Enough there for 5 school day breakfasts for two children = £8.07 divided by 5 school days = £1.61 divided by two= 80 pence per child for the day.

If you cut out the cooked breakfast.... 3 boxes of cereal £2.97, 4 pints of mile 99p, 3 loaves of bread £1.35 = £5.31 divided by 5 school days = £1.06 for two chicldren for the week.

In this country of child support payments and welfare, I do not believe that any parent can not give their child a breakfast.

You better start believing it because it's happening all around the nation, that will be why there are food banks opening up around the UK you were talking about in this thread earlier. That will be why schools are suddenly providing breakfast to children already on free school meals I guess.

Some of us are in private rents with a £100 shortfall every month because the housing benefit doesn't cover all our rent. Yes, I'm on the council list, along with 24359 other households.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:00 pm

Betty Boop;1406205 wrote: You better start believing it because it's happening all around the nation, that will be why there are food banks opening up around the UK you were talking about in this thread earlier. That will be why schools are suddenly providing breakfast to children already on free school meals I guess.

Some of us are in private rents with a £100 shortfall every month because the housing benefit doesn't cover all our rent. Yes, I'm on the council list, along with 24359 other households.
Without a cooked breakfast, you can give two children a good bowl of cheap cereal, two slices of toast each for approx 60 pence a week each,

All supermarkets do a basics range where you can buy cheap bread and cereal.

Child benefit was never Introduced to pay a shortfall In rent... It's there for the extra's In food and clothing.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:15 pm

oscar;1406208 wrote: Without a cooked breakfast, you can give two children a good bowl of cheap cereal, two slices of toast each for approx 60 pence a week each,

All supermarkets do a basics range where you can buy cheap bread and cereal.

Child benefit was never Introduced to pay a shortfall In rent... It's there for the extra's In food and clothing.

So far, as I said earlier I am managing to provide my children with breakfast, so thank you very much for the belittling shopping advice. I source food locally, as cheaply as I can, without resorting to the junk the supermarkets label as basics. (Some of it's ok, some of it is so full of crap we are creating a huger problem for these kids later in life).

Where the bloody hell does child benefit come into it?

I seriously cannot understand how you get from one sentence to the next :-3

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:25 pm

Betty Boop;1406210 wrote: So far, as I said earlier I am managing to provide my children with breakfast, so thank you very much for the belittling shopping advice. I source food locally, as cheaply as I can, without resorting to the junk the supermarkets label as basics. (Some of it's ok, some of it is so full of crap we are creating a huger problem for these kids later in life).

Where the bloody hell does child benefit come into it?

I seriously cannot understand how you get from one sentence to the next :-3
You're being too defensive. I am not attacking you... I am writing with regards to the parents In the article In the OP... It Is them I am criticising because I don't believe with supermarkets basic ranges, that any parent can not give their child a basic breakfast..... I am not suggesting for a minute that In the situation you are In, that you don't do your very best by your children.

I am not not completely unsympathetic. There have been times In my life when I've had a lot of money, times I have been comfortable but there have been times when I have been very short of money and you'd not believe what I've used to cobble a meal together before.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:27 pm

oscar;1406212 wrote: You're being too defensive. I am not attacking you... I am writing with regards to the parents In the article In the OP... It Is them I am criticising because I don't believe with supermarkets basic ranges, that any parent can not give their child a basic breakfast..... I am not suggesting for a minute that In the situation you are In, that you don't do your very best by your children.

I am not not completely unsympathetic. There have been times In my life when I've had a lot of money, times I have been comfortable but there have been times when I have been very short of money and you'd not believe what I've used to cobble a meal together before.

Look at your words.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:33 pm

Betty Boop;1406214 wrote: Look at your words.
Oh Betty... you see what you want to see.

Perhaps If there was less reading between the lines there would be less spats on this forum.... think what you like... I'm not responding.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:37 pm

All that aside, the fact remains that breakfast clubs are popping up all around the UK.

Why? Why is there deemed a need, if, as you claim you don't believe 'that any parent can not give their child a basic breakfast'.

It doesn't matter what you believe really does it, the fact is children are going to school hungry which is why these clubs are being set up. The clubs are only for people on full benefits, I know that for sure having heard another mother asking the school secretary just the other morning. The point being, if people on full benefits are struggling to put food on the table for all the other meal times this struggle is relieved a little by allowing money that would normally be spent on breakfast to be put towards the tea time budget.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:43 pm

oscar;1406215 wrote: Oh Betty... you see what you want to see.

Perhaps If there was less reading between the lines there would be less spats on this forum.... think what you like... I'm not responding.

That should be 'oooooooooh Betty' for the right effect.

I'm reading your words, there is nothing to read between the lines because your words encompass it all :wah:

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:45 pm

Betty Boop;1406217 wrote: All that aside, the fact remains that breakfast clubs are popping up all around the UK.

Why? Why is there deemed a need, if, as you claim you don't believe 'that any parent can not give their child a basic breakfast'.

It doesn't matter what you believe really does it, the fact is children are going to school hungry which is why these clubs are being set up. The clubs are only for people on full benefits, I know that for sure having heard another mother asking the school secretary just the other morning. The point being, if people on full benefits are struggling to put food on the table for all the other meal times this struggle is relieved a little by allowing money that would normally be spent on breakfast to be put towards the tea time budget.

Ok back to sensible debate....

On the flip side of what you saw, I see a woman two streets away from me drive her child to school... yep, just two streets, and then complain her benefit money Is not enough,

The very sad fact of life Betty, Is that some parents are not like you. Some do not put their children first. Even If the Government doubled the child benefit tomorrow, some parents would not necessarily use that money for their children...

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:58 pm

oscar;1406219 wrote: Ok back to sensible debate....

On the flip side of what you saw, I see a woman two streets away from me drive her child to school... yep, just two streets, and then complain her benefit money Is not enough,

The very sad fact of life Betty, Is that some parents are not like you. Some do not put their children first. Even If the Government doubled the child benefit tomorrow, some parents would not necessarily use that money for their children...

Debate? Sensible? You changed the subject!

I have to drive mine to school, it's seriously cheaper to have a car than pay bus fares for three of us to do two bus trips just to get them to school. I'd walk the return journey and then the walk back to school to fetch them. It would take a good hour to get my two to the village where they are at school. The buses are not all able to take buggies, so there would be the constant folding and unfolding of a buggy whilst juggling a wriggling toddler under one arm. Once my daughter starts secondary they could both get a direct bus but that would set me back £22 a week for the two of them.

theia · Post by **theia** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 3:03 pm

I was on benefits for a while when my son was young and when I was ill with anxiety. I was fortunate because I owned my small house, mortgage free (prior to meeting unscruplous partner whose debts I paid by remortaging and who slammed in a claim on my house when he went off with another woman). So I didn't have to claim housing benefit, just sickness and then JSA.

It was hard but I quite enjoyed having limited money, well, for a time, anyway!

Nowadays things are different, society has changed and so has its attitudes. There wasn't such a glut of things available then and I never felt I was missing out. I was quite happy with no television and few clothes.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 3:07 pm

theia;1406225 wrote: I was on benefits for a while when my son was young and when I was ill with anxiety. I was fortunate because I owned my small house, mortgage free (prior to meeting unscruplous partner whose debts I paid by remortaging and who slammed in a claim on my house when he went off with another woman). So I didn't have to claim housing benefit, just sickness and then JSA.

It was hard but I quite enjoyed having limited money, well, for a time, anyway!

Nowadays things are different, society has changed and so has its attitudes. There wasn't such a glut of things available then and I never felt I was missing out. I was quite happy with no television and few clothes.

It was all ok when I could get by, but the rent just kept going up, housing benefit doesn't increase to keep up with it. It's not cheap to rent in Cornwall as you know, although more and more houses are becoming available. Ideally I need to get closer to the children's schools so I can sell the car, that will save me money enough to just live comfortably again.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 5:16 pm

I'm not interested in more child benefit, or more in tax credits. What is needed is some sort of recognition that housing benefit is not covering private rents. That is what is stopping a lot of people living at the moment. People are stuck in a trap where they can't afford to move to another private rent, it costs more than £2000 nowadays just to get through all the checks letting agents insist on and to provide the deposit and rent wanted in advance.

I'll just keep bidding in vain on the council site where one three bedroomed house comes up once a month, bloody Thatcher!!

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 5:26 pm

Betty Boop;1406851 wrote: I'm not interested in more child benefit, or more in tax credits. What is needed is some sort of recognition that housing benefit is not covering private rents. That is what is stopping a lot of people living at the moment. People are stuck in a trap where they can't afford to move to another private rent, it costs more than £2000 nowadays just to get through all the checks letting agents insist on and to provide the deposit and rent wanted in advance.

I'll just keep bidding in vain on the council site where one three bedroomed house comes up once a month, bloody Thatcher!! Betty, I sat on housing for some time...

Is there a way you could change your application to a say one bedroom or two bedroom and change your choice of area to a far more rural area?

I know that sounds mad but 3 and 2 beds are In very short supply and homes In towns are In short supply. Once you get a property, you can then advertise a swop or ask to be upgraded. You'll have a few rough months In a smaller property but It could get you Into council housing quicker.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 5:39 pm

oscar;1406853 wrote: Betty, I sat on housing for some time...

Is there a way you could change your application to a say one bedroom or two bedroom and change your choice of area to a far more rural area?

I know that sounds mad but 3 and 2 beds are In very short supply and homes In towns are In short supply. Once you get a property, you can then advertise a swop or ask to be upgraded. You'll have a few rough months In a smaller property but It could get you Into council housing quicker.

Before I found this house I was in a two bed private flat, my eldest were smaller and they had to share a room then. I told the council I would take a smaller place even if it meant me sleeping on a sofa bed in the living area, I was told no can do. Now with a third child in the house the minimum they will let me bid on is three beds.

I might see if I can go and speak to the housing association and get myself moved from E band, seems very low down when I have two boys 15 years apart that cannot be expected to share a room together. Jowan currently shares a tiny room with his sister, she's not going to weather that for too much longer so he'll be back with me.

This house is so damn cold, all the back windows are not double glazed and are rotting away merrily. Been promised windows would be replaced since I moved in :rolleyes: Not sure how I am going to keep the place heated through this winter, there are so many draughts I'm heating the street!

Just checked the website, no houses at all in this area this week.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 5:47 pm

Are you getting help with heating? This might help:

On a low income : Directgov - Money, tax and benefits

The council may not let you take a smaller property but It's worth Inquiring about homes In extreme rural area's where no-one wants them. If you can drive, It'll be a pig getting the kids to school to start with but once you're In, you can apply for a swap.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 5:55 pm

oscar;1406859 wrote: Are you getting help with heating? This might help:

On a low income : Directgov - Money, tax and benefits

The council may not let you take a smaller property but It's worth Inquiring about homes In extreme rural area's where no-one wants them. If you can drive, It'll be a pig getting the kids to school to start with but once you're In, you can apply for a swap.

That site says

You don't need to apply. If you can get a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll be paid it automatically.

I might give warm front a call though, although can't have insulation, there's an attic that is a basic room, too damn cold in the winter and too hot in the summer to use as a bedroom though! But they might help sort my front and back doors I guess.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 6:01 pm

Betty Boop;1406860 wrote: That site says

You don't need to apply. If you can get a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll be paid it automatically.

I might give warm front a call though, although can't have insulation, there's an attic that is a basic room, too damn cold in the winter and too hot in the summer to use as a bedroom though! But they might help sort my front and back doors I guess. Anything Is worth a try.

I just wish there was more I could add. Citizens Advice may be worth a visit also.

The problem with councils Is that they have a policy that all the time you have a roof over your head, you are not classed as priority. If you were on the streets with the kids, It would be different. It's a lose lost situation... If they think you have made yourself deliberately homeless to get a house, you don't get anywhere but If you have a roof over your head, you get nowhere either.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 6:10 pm

The warm front online application form is absolute pants!! :wah: Will have to ring them.

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 11:16 pm

Wow thank you ....NOw I know where all this **** is coming from . Overseas. Now I know why we have this ****. We were once the lucky country ....damn hell we tried to keep it secret for so long. NOw we're giving our kids breakfast? WFT?