Food-banks Options

[Petra]

Here is a teaser for you all to answer. Are food banks necessary or just an instrument of abuse? And are people really suffering or just bad at managing their money? Or just very clever?
Food banks are now everywhere, which means that people who are short of money can redirect what they have got (to smart phones, satellite TV etc.) and away from the essentials (such as food) because food-banks supplies that need.

It will be interesting to see how people will come back on this one.

Yours,

Petra

[Simon Kirby]

Take the Trussel Trust Food Banks for example: They only give food parcels on referral from a variety of professionals and then generally only for three weeks, so it's quite hard to abuse their system. The Trussel Trust did however attracted some significant criticism from the Conservative-Lib Dem alliance government because it was making their hideous welfare provision look, well hideous. The particular problem as I understand it is that the welfare state can take a long time to respond to a crisis, maybe six weeks, and a family can find itself in dire need in that time. The Trussel Trust appears to be particularly well run by ethical Christian chap and the success of their model has embarrassed the government because its growth has only been possible because of the Lib Dem and Conservative welfare policy.

The Daily Hail has also championed something of a campaign against the Trussel Trust, so it must be getting something right.

[GMR]

Take the Trussel Trust Food Banks for example: They only give food parcels on referral from a variety of professionals and then generally only for three weeks, so it's quite hard to abuse their system. The Trussel Trust did however attracted some significant criticism from the Conservative-Lib Dem alliance government because it was making their hideous welfare provision look, well hideous. The particular problem as I understand it is that the welfare state can take a long time to respond to a crisis, maybe six weeks, and a family can find itself in dire need in that time. The Trussel Trust appears to be particularly well run by ethical Christian chap and the success of their model has embarrassed the government because its growth has only been possible because of the Lib Dem and Conservative welfare policy. The Daily Hail has also championed something of a campaign against the Trussel Trust, so it must be getting something right.

Yes, but it isn't hard to get a referral. All you need is Income support/ unemployed and say you are desperate. But what defines that person from another? That is another unemployed person?

[Simon Kirby]

Yes, but it isn't hard to get a referral. All you need is Income support/ unemployed and say you are desperate. But what defines that person from another? That is another unemployed person?

I see no evidence for that conclusion. The referrals are made by professionals so there is a degree of competent assessment of their acute crisis need to differentiate them from what you describe as "another unemployed person" - though in point of fact I don't believe every claimant is necessarily unemployed. Recipients are also limited to three weeks of support so there is very limited opportunity for those not in acute need to take advantage.

In the last year, we've seen things get worse, rather than better, for many people on low incomes.

[GMR]

I see no evidence for that conclusion. The referrals are made by professionals so there is a degree of competent assessment of their acute crisis need to differentiate them from what you describe as "another unemployed person" - though in point of fact I don't believe every claimant is necessarily unemployed. Recipients are also limited to three weeks of support so there is very limited opportunity for those not in acute need to take advantage.

"Competent assessment" only means that they work within a criteria. That means you must be on Income support and can’t manage. That could apply to anybody on Income support. The other point is; you've got two people, say, who are on the same money. One can't manage and the other can. So he goes to a food bank, the other, who is good with money, doesn't. Isn't the problem here the person who can't manage his money? He or she doesn't need a food bank but needs educating on how to use their money. The one who is good with money is going to quickly learn that being thrifty doesn't pay. All he needs to do is play the game to be treated equally. The other point is; a lot of those that are classified as "needy" have mobile phones, Satellites etc. Are they then really in need of a food bank support? I know people who use them and I can tell you that it is either being abused or people are in need, but in-need because they can’t manage their money. Whichever way you look at it they are being abused.

[Simon Kirby]

"Competent assessment" only means that they work within a criteria. That means you must be on Income support and can’t manage. That could apply to anybody on Income support. The other point is; you've got two people, say, who are on the same money. One can't manage and the other can. So he goes to a food bank, the other, who is good with money, doesn't. Isn't the problem here the person who can't manage his money? He or she doesn't need a food bank but needs educating on how to use their money. The one who is good with money is going to quickly learn that being thrifty doesn't pay. All he needs to do is play the game to be treated equally. The other point is; a lot of those that are classified as "needy" have mobile phones, Satellites etc. Are they then really in need of a food bank support? I know people who use them and I can tell you that it is either being abused or people are in need, but in-need because they can’t manage their money. Whichever way you look at it they are being abused.

This whole argument begs the question, starting from the position that anyone using a food bank is a scrounger and then proving that they're scroungers because they use food banks.

[GMR]

This whole argument begs the question, starting from the position that anyone using a food bank is a scrounger and then proving that they're scroungers because they use food banks.

I am talking about either abusing food banks. I also said that some people have problems with handling their money; is a food bank the answer?

[Andy Capp]

I am talking about either abusing food banks. I also said that some people have problems with handling their money; is a food bank the answer?

They were originally set-up for people in crisis. Food banks are no-more an answer than an ambulance is an 'answer' to RTAs, but they are still necessary.

[GMR]

They were originally set-up for people in crisis. Food banks are no-more an answer than an ambulance is an 'answer' to RTAs, but they are still necessary.

But are they though? Why do some people need it, while other don't (but in are the same situation; i.e. getting the same money).

[Andy Capp]

But are they though? Why do some people need it, while other don't (but in are the same situation; i.e. getting the same money).

Because it is unlikely that two situations are identical. Often 'need' comes around when a change in circumstances occur.

[GMR]

Because it is unlikely that two situations are identical. Often 'need' comes around when a change in circumstances occur.

That is true; but that could be down to one person takes on more than another. By giving that person - who can't handle money - help with food disadvantages the ones that are thrifty. It isn't actually helping that person who needs help. Education is better than just giving willy-nilly.