20,000 in South West turning to food banks to survive

“These food banks which are also opening across the UK, are actually a sign of an uncaring right wing Tory Government who are cutting welfare and housing benefit because they do not believe in either due to having an ideological hatred of the welfare State. This is a political fact. It is not a myth.

And as such, I believe that all Liberal Democrat's in this Region should resign their seats in protest at their leader, Nick Clegg, for continuing to uphold this right wing Tory lead coalition who have just over 2 years to go on this Parliament.

South West Lib-Dem MP's must know these cuts in welfare which are hitting and hurting their constituent's, are ideologically driven by the Tory's. These Lib-Dem MP's cannot possibly believe in this deficit cutting policy, with all these "hard choices" being made by both David Cameron, and Nick Clegg ?. This is media and political drivel designed to fool the public, because it goes unchallenged by media pundits.

These cuts have nothing to do with deficit cutting, or any kind of saving, these cuts are simply an arrogance toward the ordinary people of this country, including people in the South West, who receive the lowest wages in Britain, and suffer the highest private rents, and people are now being pushed to the brink.

I cannot believe people in Torbay and elsewherein the South West, and across the UK, are being forced to eat other people's cast out food. Because this is what it amounts to. Dickensian Charity, in 21st Century
Britain.

We are back to the days of riches at the top, and squaller at the bottom.”

“Cherrie

Good idea - why feed people when there are juicy bins waiting to be licked?

Perhaps people should have to show some kind of evidence that they have scavenged in all the appropriate dustbins and begged out of date food from shopkeepers to feed their children before being granted food from a food bank. They will have to make sure they don;t get in the way of real customers of course - what decent person would want to stand next to beggars in a queue?

The left wing sociaists might whine about the odd bit of food poisoning, but it will toughen them up.

They could also be subjected to blood tests to determine whether they had consumed alcohol, drugs or tobacco in the last few weeks......and traces and it's back to binlicking for you you feckless addict.

Also - surely some of these people's children have toys - after all what is more important - playing with toys or eating - exactly - so we should instigate spot checks to see whether their children have any toys - and if they do - no more food 'till they have been sold.

Just ignore the namby pamby socialists who say that children have a right to a few toys - but that is just the kind of flabby thinking that has led to the current crisis.

In fact - if these people simply set up a blanket on the floor near a market they can sell all of their possessions, shine a few shoes, maybe do a little dance to entertain passers-by -and then send their kids round the corner to snaffle up all the waste from the market and the back of McDonalds.

As well as markets of course - any dog will tell you that very early morning in many parts of town is a good time to go scavenging. There is plenty of disgarded food to be had - even if some of it has been partly digested.

Some people will think themsleves above this of course and will whine on about not wanting to feed things to their children that they found in a pile of sick - and of course that is their choice - but why should we taxpayers subsidise their picky eating habits?

Also - with the increasing popularity of real fires - there will be lots of chimneys that need sweeping - ideal for teaching littluns the value of money.

........and only then should we consider letting them have anything from a food bank - and only then if they show the proper gratitude.

Will that make you happy Cherie?”

“Makes you wonder why we spend so much on overseas aid, especially to countries such as China and India who have seen their economies grow fantastically in the last 10 years.”

“Cherrie, Whilst there is an underclass that considers benefits a lifestyle option there are decent people in trouble. Also these days if you go round shops taking what has been thrown out you will be up before the beak smartish for theft. The food is only for certified crisis cases and I hope we as a society aren't that mean that we turn our backs on those in a genuine crisis.”

“Question have we as a society become too reliant on charitys/benefits/food banks ect: to fill the gap? Are we no longer resourcefull enough to fend for ourselves. It would seem so. How many back in the 40s/ 50s would have been so reliant? not many. Were people more well off?no. So whats differant? perhaps it's false pride. How much easier it is to go to a food bank than to go round markets ect and pick up veg /fruit that has dropped to the floor or go round food shops or bakers collecting the food thrown out. How much easier is it to go on benefits than to take several small jobs like cleaning ect: to earn extra money. How much easier is it to say oh I can't work because I can't find a baby sitter but still find it easy to hang around with friends all day /evening. Are we too soft?”

“THis situation sounds very serious”