Fortunately, we're coming out of winter so heating won't be so crucial until late autumn. But yes, some people were relying on food banks before the pandemic, and the UK's finances must be considerably worse now after two years of lockdowns and furlough
Add in the wasted billions in fraud and useless contracted private services along with that essential need to build a new royal yacht and its no wonder the finances arent as good.
People are turning down free potatoes from food banks because they can't afford to boil them according to the MD of Iceland. Food bank users declining potatoes and root veg because they can't afford to boil them, Iceland boss claims (inews.co.uk)
Still probably cheaper than a take away, particularly fish and chips which is being priced out of the market. Still, there's no doubt, gas prices and rents are crippling
Honestly, I don't know. I think there can be a reliance on take-aways for some, busy working mothers etc getting something quickly for the kids. But they have money coming in. For the really hard up, we have a comparatively generous welfare state but I'm sure a lot of the benefit payments go out in rent. And now with gas prices spiking, it will be incredibly difficult. Astute money management is crucial. But for those who can't afford to cook a free potato, what are we saying? That they live on cold food? Or they cook with an electric microwave? I really don't know what the Iceland MD's comment means.
Absolutely. We all are shaped by our past experiences imo. I've had a varied past, some of which I don't talk about on here, but those experiences undoubtedly shape my world view. Different experiences lead to different perspectives at times I'm sure.
I take it to mean that they live on microwave food. I hope Rishi Sunak (whose household is more wealthy than the Queen) has a better handle on this than you do Goldie. Why would he, though?
The reason I questioned whether it meant they live off microwave food, is that a potato can be perfectly well baked in the microwave. So it seems odd to turn it down. As you say, Strolls, Sunak is right at the other end of the wealth scale - but realistically, all politicians are comfortably well-heeled. I assume Government and Opposition must have poverty advisors to educate ministers and shadow ministers on the severity of the problem and steps needed to alleviate it.
My local chippy has been playing hell about the price of flour and fish going up. Fish & chips could soon be a luxury to some.
Absolutely right. And 40% of the fish came from Russia and 50% of the sunflower oil came from Ukraine. So the cost has spiralled upwards. Even before that, a lot of chippies were closing down. There used to be some cracking ones in Shepherd's Bush, but one by one, they've being replaced by burger bars and kebabs.
Jeez Goldie, how much power do you reckon you have to use to bake a potato in a microwave, compared to that required to heat a tin of something?
My local sourced its fish from Iceland (not the supermarket) but the prices have risen due to the demand from them as they can no longer get it from Russia. Do we not catch enough through uk fishermen to service the needs?
A potato takes about 5 minutes to bake in a microwave. A tin of soup would take 2 minutes. But if the potato is free... It's not criticism on my part. I'm just trying to understand thinking and predicament
We probably don't catch enough haddock and cod, which is what people expect and ask for over the counter. We may have to get used to pollack, but still the oil is expensive as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ten years ago, good haddock and chips would cost under £4.00. Now we are looking at the price rising to £13
This really shouldn't be so difficult, Goldie.The point is that people are turning down free fresh food in favour of free tinned food, because fresh food costs more to prepare. It's a scandal that people in one of the richest countries in the World are having to rely on food banks in the first place. The fact that they can't afford to cook the free food is an even bigger scandal. I wouldn't want to eat one of your 5 minute microwaved potatoes, by the way.
Mmmmm, crunchy potato. Mind you, wouldn’t be much of a kitchen left after attempting to microwave a tin of soup. Might be able to bake the spud in the embers of the house.
Well, Mr Sunak has done some sort of Vulcan magic trick, presumably learned from Uncle Spock, by apparently cutting taxes, increasing public spending and reducing national debt. No windfall tax on energy firms - tut, tut. Smoke & mirrors.
