These tv shows make my blood boil too, as they don't offer a balanced view.

I have volunteered many times at my local food bank and it's heartbreaking (and uplifting at the same time). Last week as I was arriving there was a woman leaving with her 5 year old son - he was over the moon with the fact that he now had access to a packet of rich tea biscuits, and was literally skipping down the road with excitement. I know the lady and she told me she hadn't eaten for 2 days as she needed to prioritise what food she had for her son. Believe me, they don't have a 4k tv at home!!

I really wish we didn't need food banks, but unfortunately (regardless of the politics), we do. Yes, you do get some people who will abuse the system, but that's life unfortunately.

No, but I have seen the countless ones that lambast Daily Mail reading thickos and point out that you have to have a referral from social services to get food from a food bank.

Have you ever seen those benefits programmes where some of the people have a fag in one hand,a smartphone in the other then say they have to get food from a foodbank :neutral_face:

I wouldn't go on a rollcoster in this weather, my nipples would fall off from that height!

Good deal

Have you ever seen those benefits programmes where some of the people have a fag in one hand,a smartphone in the other then say they have to get food from a foodbank :neutral_face:

Shows full price for me

No, but I have seen the countless ones that lambast Daily Mail reading thickos and point out that you have to have a referral from social services to get food from a food bank.[/quote]
Please tell me your not that naive, you think these people dont know how to get round that.. lol

There are genuine people starving too you know. There's a few people near me who have nothing and don't smoke, drink or take drugs...

I wouldn't go on a rollcoster in this weather, my nipples would fall off from that height!

strawmantastic thread, nothing like a bit of uninformed nastiness to get things going eh folks.

Its a good deal we did this last time in early summer , however it was extremely busy with a 30 wait for most rides , but it least it won't be mega hot like it was back then

Can you just pay on the gate with this deal I'm just thinking of the good old British weather

These tv shows make my blood boil too, as they don't offer a balanced view.

I have volunteered many times at my local food bank and it's heartbreaking (and uplifting at the same time). Last week as I was arriving there was a woman leaving with her 5 year old son - he was over the moon with the fact that he now had access to a packet of rich tea biscuits, and was literally skipping down the road with excitement. I know the lady and she told me she hadn't eaten for 2 days as she needed to prioritise what food she had for her son. Believe me, they don't have a 4k tv at home!!

I really wish we didn't need food banks, but unfortunately (regardless of the politics), we do. Yes, you do get some people who will abuse the system, but that's life unfortunately.

Also wondering if you can pay on the day. And, is it ok for a 2 year old? Thanks.

Indeed,I never said some people weren't in need there must be some, I was commenting on the programmes I've watched and making an observation how the peeps shown would rather buy cigarettes than food.

​To be fair the tvs probably on finance :confused:

Please tell me your not that naive, you think these people dont know how to get round that.. lol[/quote]
You know, I believe that a proportion of people are freeloaders and prone to committing fraud given half an opportunity, greedy selfish and self-centred people. But I don't believe this proportion is any greater in benefits claimants than anybody else.

I am trying to book and can't find the option of only £9 ?has anybody booked yet?

Found it on at Milton Keynes site ..

​Why does this happen in the UK though - a welfare state?

Have you ever stopped and wondered why those particular people on those shows are chosen?
Would you watch if it just showed a "normal" person trying to make ends meet and look for work?
No?
Didn't think so.

As the deal goes, it's very hot (and very worthwhile irrespective of what you watch on channel 5).

There are numerous answers / arguments / counter-arguments to this - none of which are of much use to the families I speak to.

Like I said, we shouldn't need food banks, but the welfare state is far from perfect.

Because "normal" people drink,smoke,waste money etc and still go to a food bank too I'm quite sure of that.

Anyway,we all have our differing opinions and this is very off topic now so I'll bid people good day.

you might need a food bank one day

Personally I'd prefer it if they asked a minimum donation of a few quid extra and said that extra money was being donated to a foodbank so they could buy food using bulk buying power. Experts could also work out what was needed most rather than the junk some people will palm off with this offer. Might be too bureaucratic though and easier to just transport food directly to the bank. I suspect it's better this way as it's driven home more visually about the plight of others when you physically have to grab food and bring it with you. Makes you appreciate you have spare money to travel and get in places like that. Hopefully Gullivers offer free tickets to each recipient of the food bank they donate this all to as well.

This is the worst marketing gimmick I have ever seen.

Programmes on a TV channel owned by a billionaire who would like to distract you from the fact they don't pay tax by any chance?

imo it's a good idea & will help those in need & remember TV programs just like news articles are carefully edited please don't be so naive to believe everything you see or read :man:

Poles taking there jobs you must be joking those people on them programs are damn right spongers they don't want to work and think the system is there job they want to stop breeding !!!!

I'm going to feel a bit guilty turning up on Saturday with two kids and a can of value Tesco beans.
But hey, a bargains a bargain.

The irony of someone trying to take the moral highground whilst condoning child beating!?!? i swear some people on here need to proof read their crap before pressing that post button :man:

Mmmmm free biscuits... DEEElicious!

Please tell me your not that naive, you think these people dont know how to get round that.. lol

[/quote]

​Please don't tell me that you are that black hearted that you don't see that the majority of people have a very genuine need. having used food banks at times myself (single parent with a brain tumor amongst other things) you have to provide evidence such as bank statements showing the desperation of your situation! Put the daily mail down and turn off the biased hateful TV. I have nothing but I would still donate and help others when i can because I know what poverty really is!

Just reading the comments, and do people know you cant just pop down to your local one and get what you like. An official body, such as a social worker, doctor or care provider needs to have reffered (sic) you there. there is no other way around this as i have worked with people that have needed to use the service. I havnt seen any of the tv programs, but that is what happens.

This is the thing though, I'm not having a go and don't want a lengthy argument, but you say you have nothing yet you're posting on here using the Internet and some tech to do it on. I guess everyones opinion of "having nothing" is different? I was a kid during the miners strike and we "had nothing" yet we ate, were kept warm and we were clothed, yes we had few (pretty much no) luxuries (not even a home phone), and I had to have Dunlop trainers (poor little me) but we got by.

Looks like a boring place however I might pop down to the food bank and grab some stuff to hand in to get some cheap tickets for a cheap family day out

Internet is a necessity in this day and age grandad. Without it you can't access vital services and end up paying more for everything. A £20 smartphone would pay for itself pretty quickly.

I don't think your car comes into the equation when applying for a means tested benefit to be eligible for free pdsa treatment for your pet.

The deal is only for the 8th and 9th October for those people wondering why it is showing full price :smiley:

Don't be so ridiculous, its a LUXURY there are many places that you can access the internet for free, if you think that a £20pcm internet subs is "essential" and should be prioritised over food, you my friend, are part of the problem!!!

What next, perhaps a 50" TV and full Sky subs should be considered "essential" as its surely unfair to make unemployed folk sit at home all day bored?

Oh, and please hold off on the insults, it just shows you up not me. The fact that I take responsibility for MYSELF does not make me a "granddad" :smiley:

I went away for the weekend, the wife invited her benefit claiming friend over for the night. She then proceeded to tell her about her food bank claims as she drank the bottle of wine she'd just bought.

And how big is her tv?

I think the reason why people are so hostile to benefit cheats is that it's a lot easier to sleep at night if you think that the reason why over half a million people claimed food from just one charity last year is that there's huge numbers of scammers out there rather than think we, a supposed first world country, have hundreds of thousands of people reduced to food banks so they and their kids can eat. If I thought the former, I'd very angry at anyone who pointed out that it didn't seem to make much sense and the latter was far more likely.

£20 a month that is.
Taxpayers pay to keep libraries open with free internet access if you need it.

That is half of the problem, the UK benefits system is the most generous in the world, and no one should ever need a food bank.

They are for emergencies for people who may have houses and mortgages to pay and suddenly lose their job etc..
Or people on sanctions because they have not arrived to an appointment on time, etc.

Unfortunately, people who are out of work and are relying on the state for help still think the latest iphone contract and internet, tv, taxi's everywhere is still part of the basic support package that the state help with.
They go round thinking they are owed a living that will pay for all this.

Essentials, and non essentials and luxuries are different things.

Personally, I would scrap various benefits and replace them with competitively contracted out food packages delivered to doors, house to house. Full of goods that are useful for families.

Radical, maybe, but it will solve some of these ridiculous claims of food bank requirements. Also the kids and a lot of these parents will have nutritious food to cook and eat rather than the junk food and takeouts they appear to be able to afford every night.

Between 2009 and 2012 a process known as "quantitive easing" created £375bn of new money for the UK economy. And now food banks are seen as something normal rather than something we, as a supposedly civilised society, should be ashamed of.
Where did all the money go? Certainly not to ordinary workers who can no longer afford a house, even if they're earning twice minimum wage. And for those without a well-paid job the situation is untenable.
You can pretend to believe what the papers tell you. That all those on benefits are scroungers whilst tax-dodgers are "creating wealth". Or that it's got the slightest thing to do with immigration.
But, deep down, you know something has gone dreadfully wrong.

Calm down.
Growing up during the miners strike makes you a grandad. Showing no understanding of the "digital divide" reinforces that.
Internet can help you get cheaper food clothes heating furniture insurance etc. Essentials.
It can also help you get work.
There are many places you can get online for free. Even more if you take a £20 smartphone with you. No sim card, no monthly fee.

What are you gibbering about now?!? I'm perfectly calm, nothing in my post suggests otherwise, I don't know you and I care about your opinions even less so don't fret about my stress levels flower :smiley:

Your post shows your complete lack of understanding, perhaps you should have gone to school?? You can only be a granddad if you have had a child who then has a child, the miners strike has nothing to do with that. Perhaps you come from a rough council estate, but where I was brought up, we didn't breed straight from school, we continued to higher education. Could I be a granddad, I suppose its biologically possible, but lets say I have a bit more self respect and ambition :smiley:

There is no "digital divide", anyone can access the internet from lots of free sources. I don't know ANYONE who has a smartphone without a SIM, the "poor" single mums at our old school certainly had credit on their iPhones, but like you said, whats more important, clothing and food or a nice smartphone??? Yet I have no understanding??? jog on, you're boring me :smirk:

I'll await your next pearl of wisdom as you continue to try and justify LUXURIES as ESSENTIALS :smile:

Extremely long rants........check
Sarcastic use of the word "flower".....check
Saying the other poster is "boring me"......check
Complete words in CAPS......check
Sarcastic emojis......check

Yep - just as I thought. One of "those" posters who is never wrong and will always have the last word.

Stupid list format due to inability to string a structured argument..... check
Jumping in to a discussion that's nothing to do with them.... check, checkity-check
Trolling... check, check, check, check, check, check
No life, hence the above attempts to gain a sense of popularity...... check
Self righteous attitude...... check
Keyboard warrior..... check
Overuse of quote marks..... check

Yep - just I as thought. One of those people who cant keep their big nose out of something that doesn't concern them and tries in vain to show how "clever" they are yet fails to see the blatant irony in their garbled post.

Lets see if you can avoid adding hypocrite to the list and go away, you're not the USA, you don't have to fight everyone else's corner OK petal :smiley: (psssttt.... there's some deliberate sarcasm in there... see if you can find it! :smiley:)

That "ignore" button comes in useful sometimes :wink:


I don't put pearls before swine. Trot off.

I see all the non-bleeding heart comments have been deleted... :disappointed:

What is this - a Labour Party site? Or an advert for Shelter?

Are people not allowed to vent?

No you don't (glasgow)

You're dumb grandad: The internet is as essential for the modern working person as an address to receive post and a phone line to receive calls, perhaps more important. Selling your smart phone for food would be as myopic as burning your coat for warmth.

Errr yeah, OK, I'm dumb because I prioritise food and shelter over tech?!? Perhaps you need to get in touch with Bob Geldoff and tell him to release "Do they have a smartphone at Christmas" song so that we can provide phones for all the starving in the world? :smiley:

Tell you what, you keep wasting your hard earned benefit money on luxuries, I'll keep working to pay for them :wink:

First off, the ignore button doesn't work, you'll still see that I've commented and given that you haven't got the self control to just ignore my comments, I doubt you have the ability to resist pressing the "read comment" button.... plus I wont know that you've ignored my comment, I'll just assume that you've seen sense and admit that you have nothing worthwhile to add (which lets face it, is true!).

I tell you to "jog on" you tell me to "trot on", is that really how this is going to go? :smiley:

Nope, sorry, you won't EVER convince me that a smartphone is anything but a luxury, so we'll have to agree to disagree. I haven't suggested that anyone's opinion is worth any less, that's clearly your hang up, but I can believe that you earn plenty as that explains why you're so out of touch with reality, with your views you could even be a liebour politician?? :smiley:

Thanks for posting. We had a great family day out today!!

Wow, how did a deal to a theme park turn into such a moron convention?

Times have changed. Technology is a WORLD away from where it was at the time of the miners strikes. The two aren't comparable. ​i joined this site to make the little money I was getting go a lot further at a time when my daughters birthday was impending and I realised the money that I could ill afford to spend would go nowhere. This site has helped me to feed, cloth and occasionally treat her. Times are not QUITE as tough for us as they once were and I was able to be myself a very cheap phone on giffgaff thanks to this app too which helps me to keep on contact with my family who aren't local and thus keep my mental health together and not be a further drain on the NHS and therefore tax payer (I was one of those too before I got sick) and also keep on top of all my medical appointments. Is the basic need for communication not something that the impoverished should have access to?

What boggles my mind is the total lack of humanity. Any one of us could fall from grace and find ourselves in poverty. I highly suspect a lot of people on benefits will be using HUKD. Surely there need is obviously great?! You'd think so anyway.

Before I had my daughter and became unwell my career was in mental health and I trained as a community psychiatric nurse. Helping those less fortunate than myself is just an instinctive for me but I appreciate it's not the same for everyone.