More corruption

YesMOnica I am sure that is true, but would it really be your first thought, and for that reason not give any parents their own choices?

No, of course it wouldn't. But it will still happen in some cases.

These arguments must have been aired when the debate was about child allowance, but wiser policies prevailed.

Those politicians would never ever have given a single thought to giving the money to donators to their party, in order to make a profit on child hunger or the tax payer.

They stood head and shoulders above what we currently have.

This cronyism and corruption will be the scandal of the decade when history is written.

M0nica

*Ilovecheese*, unless all those in need and poverty are quite exceptionally virtuous, there will be some households, not many, who will redirect any money coming into the house to supporting their addicition; whether that be drugs, alcohol, gambling or being forced to give it to others.

I am and always been a very light drinker, I have never taken drugs nor do I gamble or force other family members to give me all their money, yet I can still see this.

However, we don't normally set our laws and rules for the very small minority although to read some posts - not especially on here - you would thing this is being done because a majority behave this way.

You are right to point out that is does happen but sadly there will always be some who do not read the words "there will be some households, not many," and will go on vilifying all those our state does not properly provide for.

The problem with hampers is that they can't take into account things like a child having a condition that means they can't eat particular foods. I read an account of a child with ASD who was so upset at having to eat soup with 'lumps' in it that he was hysterical and ended up being sick. Another child is unable to tolerate gluten, but the hamper contained no gluten-free foods. I have no reason to assume that these were not true stories (they were on a FB thread which wasn't intended to be public), but even if they aren't, the examples highlight the way in which vouchers would be a much better idea. On the FB thread I read, several young mothers were saying that they could get ten times as much for £30 by shopping at Aldi, and that the 'fresh' items would be a lot fresher.

I really feel strongly that this should be properly and impartially investigated, and that if it is found that these companies are creaming off funds they should be prosecuted and wrongdoers jailed. I also feel very strongly that there should be an immediate stop to any government contracts being awarded without tender and absolute transparency. This is a national disgrace, and if it goes unpunished there is really no hope of our society getting to any semblance of fairness.

Some people claim ESA and PIP when they're not really ill or disabled. Does that mean that no one should get ESA and PIP? You can't penalise the many for the sins of the few.

The vouchers could not be spent on alcohol or drugs. They had to be spent on food at certain supermarkets. Poor parents care just as much about feeding their children as more affluent parents do.

I have been absent for a long time - I found the sheer self righteousness of some posters too much to stomach. I am pleasantly surprised by the understanding and anger shown on this post at these photos. They are indeed all over twitter! From many different people. Variable levels of awfulness - but all awful. It is nothing short of corruption and profiteering. The majority of people who need these are pretty decent people that life has thrown a curveball at. My own daughter has been a recipient of the vouchers. If not for us she would have been using foodbanks. Her business folded at the start of the pandemic. He partners new job didn't start and he has been working through an agency - and its a bit sporadic. The vouchers have been quite lierally a life saver at times.