Tory MP blames food bank use on people not knowing how to cook or budge

It's a commonly held misconception, I fear.

I look forward to the Lee Anderson cookbook on creating delicious, nutritious meals out of fresh air with a little gruel on Sundays - all cooked without electricity or gas

Jack Monroe comprehensively sorted him out on twitter. He's now backtracking on radio saying he didn't say what it is very clear he did say. Taking lessons from the boss.

I have always worked to a budget but am amazed at the number of people who don't. I have met folk who don't check their bank statements, use up food leftovers, shop around for the best deals or save up for things. Some people are in hardship because they have been reckless with money.

Woodmouse

I have always worked to a budget but am amazed at the number of people who don't. I have met folk who don't check their bank statements, use up food leftovers, shop around for the best deals or save up for things. Some people are in hardship because they have been reckless with money.

Let's be clear. They are not the average poor person. The average poor person is in work but is not paid a living wage. Anytime they can't pay rent/mortgage, bills and eat, that isn't poor budgeting, it's poverty.

I had a friend judge me the way you've judged some people when I was poor. I was poor because I didn't earn enough. Not because I was wasteful with money.

From 1 Jun 2020 — 31 May 2021, Lee Anderson claimed £208,491.24 in expenses, which is more than the average for all MPs. Maybe he should go on a course to learn how to budget.

growstuff

From 1 Jun 2020 — 31 May 2021, Lee Anderson claimed £208,491.24 in expenses, which is more than the average for all MPs. Maybe he should go on a course to learn how to budget.

Or maybe jail, for fraud. I'm sick of these leeches, blaming the undeserving poor.

AbsolutelyGagaJo A lot of people are earning their poverty. It is a complex issue but I have personally come across many who have been irresponsible with money, and when difficult times have come along they have to seek help.

Woodmouse

I have always worked to a budget but am amazed at the number of people who don't. I have met folk who don't check their bank statements, use up food leftovers, shop around for the best deals or save up for things. Some people are in hardship because they have been reckless with money.

Do you work within a budget of £77 a week, to include everything, apart from most housing costs?

Woodmouse

AbsolutelyGagaJo A lot of people are earning their poverty. It is a complex issue but I have personally come across many who have been irresponsible with money, and when difficult times have come along they have to seek help.

How do you earn your poverty?

I have personally come across many who have not deserved their poverty.

Do you mean spending money, when they have it?

We would all seek help if difficult times came along. Even the middle class, professionals, are said to be only 2 monthly wages away from poverty.

Let's be clear. Poverty shaming is wrong. Those with money are not in a position to judge those without. I've been both and I know which I prefer. Am I going to be judged if I fall ill and can't work (self-employed) for spending money on a manicure this week?

You "earn" your poverty through working hard but still not having enough to live on.

The feckless poor who don't cook but just eat takeaways are a popular right wing trope.

It is appalling that 25% of the population in the fifth most prosperous nation on earth are unable to afford heating and eating.

The only reason such a situation could occur is in a situation of extreme inequality.

We have a government elected by that minority of the population who have been influenced by the ultra right wing media owned by tax dodging billionaires, who are still able to persuade their followers that it is only right for the richer to become richer and the poorer to become poorer.

I would like some of the menus the MP was mentioning today. A meal, cooked from scratch, cost 30p apparently. Gosh, I could save a lot if that is what my meals cost me and I am only feeding one. I was unaware fish and meat were so cheap.

Many do not have enough money to switch on gas or electricity to cook anything.

I was going to upload a pic of the commons menu, but it's a 16 page document.
What a surprise.

There was a lady on You and Yours today.

He is in full time work. He has one meal a day in the evening but skips breakfast and lunch. The parents haven't eaten three meals a day since before Christmas, to ensure the children have enough.

How does she cook economically and budget well, if she doesn't have the money for either?

Stupid man (the MP)

It's impossible to budget on nothing at all, I've found.

Agreed, MOnica, he doesn't seem the sharpest knife in the box.

I meant to post this link on this thread:

www.mailplus.co.uk/tv/the-michael-crick-report/653/caught-in-the-act-how-hot-mic-exposed-would-be-mps-fake-news-ruse

In the 70s when my children were small we had little money. I bought vegetables and made vegetarian dishes. I learned how to make cheap nutritious meals from scratch. If we couldn’t afford something we did without. Show me a “poor” family who haven’t got a mobile phone each. I don’t consider myself right wing but it’s sadly true that a lot of people haven’t a clue how to budget or cook.

You do realise that a mobile phone is a necessity, not a luxury, for most people these days, You can't apply for most jobs without having access to the internet, for instance. If you're starting off with a decent stocked cupboard of basic foodstuffs, spices, etc, that's one thing - but what if you don't have access to much cooking equipment or facilities. Jack Monroe has demolished these myths time after time after time and yet people still swallow them.

Where do people meet all these poor people and get to know the ins and out of their finances?
I live in probably one of the most deprived areas ever, and I never seem to meet any of the smelly, racist, wasters that others are such experts on.

There are exceptions, of course, as there are on any given scale.

Skydancer

In the 70s when my children were small we had little money. I bought vegetables and made vegetarian dishes. I learned how to make cheap nutritious meals from scratch. If we couldn’t afford something we did without. Show me a “poor” family who haven’t got a mobile phone each. I don’t consider myself right wing but it’s sadly true that a lot of people haven’t a clue how to budget or cook.

Of course it's true that some people don't know how to budget or cook nutritious meals cheaply, but 30p? Come off it! It's just not possible to cook meals day in day out for 30p a person.