UK Politics Thread (Part 1)

Only if they’re, y’know, a top, top bloke.

1 Like

This may be linked to the food scheme they have delivering to elderly and other vulnerable people (I don’t know if that is still running but was for at least the first lockdown), so may have some efficiencies built into it.

It’s an unfortunate reality that some people will spend cash on things that it’s not intended for, like alcohol, drugs and gambling. The vouchers worked pretty well from what I’ve read, why change it?

This is a scandal. :rage:

3 Likes

Do the food parcels get collected from schools or delivered to homes? If the latter, it may be deemed safer than giving out vouchers to remove the need for going to a shop.

Secondly, I think there is probably concern that people who would spend the cash on non food items would find a way to swap the vouchers for cash (at least this is one argument that often does the rounds against vouchers)

A third reason may be to support local businesses that would not be supported if the money is spent in supermarkets (that would be supplying foods to schools for example).

Just listening to a phone in programme and there’s one possible explanation with this and it is yet again down to contracts.

Basically the wholesale supplier that’s putting these food parcels together is charging extortionate rates for the food in the parcel, i.e 1 tin of beans at £1.90.

It doesn’t make it any less accurate though

More of the same here, this is going to blow up again and rightly so.

https://twitter.com/BootstrapCook

2 Likes

Sure…whatever.


£20 delivered
Your box will include the items listed below, or comparable products of similar value:

Morrisons Fusilli 500g

Morrisons Basmati Rice 500g

Morrisons Tomato & Basil Stir In Sauce 155g

Morrisons Passata 500g

Morrisons Fad Free Tuna Chunks In Spring Water 3 X 80g

Morrisons Chickpeas In Water (400g) 240g

Pataks Tikka Masala 3 Step Curry Meal Kit 313g

Morrisons Cream Of Tomato Soup 400g

Morrisons Vegetable Soup 400g

Morrisons Red Kidney Beans (400g) 240g

Morrisons Chilli Con Carne Mix 41g

Morrisons Simmer Sauce Cheese Mix 30g

Branston Baked Beans 4 X 410g

Morrisons Sweet Corn In Water 198g

Morrisons Long Life British Semi Skimmed Milk 1l

Morrisons Cornflakes 500g

Morrisons Wine Gums 227g

Morrisons Custard Creams 400g

Morrisons Bake At Home Crusty White Rolls

Morrisons Toilet Tissue White 4 Per Pack

So why couldn’t the Government do better than this,why not work in partnership with companies who are in the food supply business and have a high enough public profile that they would be aware of a negative backlash from the public.
Or just give it to some other companies who don’t care.

I’m not recommending Morrisons or that box it’s just an example.

7 Likes

This is true, but it is nowhere near the perception created around benefits, this idea that feckless irresponsible poor people can’t be trusted to put their kids welfare over their own selfish indulgences.

But we both know why the voucher scheme was stopped. No opportunity to top slice a little bit of profit here and a little bit of consultancy there…,

3 Likes
3 Likes

There should be no reason why the government along with the all top stores cannot put something in place where a shopping list must exclude alcohol and tobacco in order for the voucher to be redeemable.Easily done if orders are done online,although not everyone has that ability/maybe don’t wish to do things that way,but can also be done instore(depending on the store/staff)

A great deal of extra business for shops where main supermarket chains should also be able to provide free delivery in order to maximise the full voucher for essentials.

2 Likes

What the money on this being another one of “those” government contracts?

Came across an interesting series of thoughts this morning. You’ve got this government, their supporters and the likes Farage et al all preaching that the UK must look after our own. We must not pander to “foreigners” etc. We are better. UK is great blah blah.

These very same people put this shit show in place and then moan when Unicef moves in to help out, or try to bribe people like Rashford with some title or whatever.

1 Like

And more

2 Likes

Honestly, following this thread from the outside in, I’m at a loss why you guys aren’t out with your pitchforks already. Such blatant corruption, and no-one moves? :laughing:

5 Likes

We should be really but we’re utterly useless, plus there’s this pandemic thing.

We are Everton when it comes to revolutions.

3 Likes

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

4 Likes

As said earlier, the concern with vouchers is partly to do with a belief that they would be swapped for cash and then spent on stuff other than what was intended (or swapped straight for).

I also wonder if part of the move away from vouchers was to avoid them becoming a permanent form of support.

1 Like
5 Likes

It shouldn’t be difficult to come up with a scheme whereby both of those problems are overcome.

Online shopping(if possible) where groceries only are delivered to the address associated with an account set up for a family linked to a voucher number.
A receipt/clubcard for instore shopping where £30 is given off your next weeks grocery only shopping when you spend £30 or more.

Both of these options already exist in one way or another in most countries,just not yet associated with government support schemes i would imagine.People already recieve dole,childrens allowances and pension payment online,why not modernise and destigmatise how this type of support is distributed.

3 Likes