Child Poverty

Does this really happen in this country..? I mean 'come on surely not..?'

The way many childrens charties classify so-called 'Child Poverty' is crazy so much so that if two children share a bedroom then thats children in poverty!!!!!

What are your views on this because the wording 'Child Poverty' is being spoken about more and more by some.

I really dont think there is suck a thing as poverty in this country, the only way there is child poverty is when the parents are either a junkie ir a alkie

or just purely selfish

Does this really happen in this country..? I mean 'come on surely not..?'

The way many childrens charties classify so-called 'Child Poverty' is crazy so much so that it two children share a bedroom then thats children in poverty!!!!!

What are your views on this because the wording 'Child Poverty' is being spoken about more and more by some.

An empty fridge, no milk. Pot Noodles for breakfast dinner and tea. No heating on.
Meanwhile, the parents spend their benefits on beer, gear and fags. Yep, happens a
lot more than you realise. My sister works with 'vulnerable' families in the West End
of Rhyl. She will buy a pint of milk for certain familes as a matter of course, and bread.
Then just claim it back in expenses. If parts of Rhyl are this bad, times it by ten in
inner London/Manchester/Birmingham

But Child Poverty is actually 'down' under the tories.

Are they looking after the less well off better than Labour?

Are they f**k. They are just massaging the figures and shifting the 'means testing' parameters

Does this really happen in this country..? I mean 'come on surely not..?'

The way many childrens charties classify so-called 'Child Poverty' is crazy so much so that if two children share a bedroom then thats children in poverty!!!!!

What are your views on this because the wording 'Child Poverty' is being spoken about more and more by some.

I can't believe this post! I know parents who are eating paper towels to stave of the hunger so their children can have something to eat. Others who are living on a single matress in their living room and that is all. other who are having to walk a 12 to 15 mile round trip in dreadful weather just to pick up a free food parcel to be able to feed their family for 3 days.

Its nothing to do with 'junkies', 'fags' or 'alchies'. There is a shocking, shocking environment out there. This is the state of play next year:

- further benefit cuts
- housing benefit cuts
- council tax allowance cuts
- any on in an under occupied house will be force to downgrade or risk losing their benefits. The housing isn't there to accommodate them so they'll either be forced to live in a property they can't afford and go into debt, move to a B&B, become homeless sub let a room to somebody random and then also lose their benefits because their have an income (albeit less than what their original benefit would be)
- 2 budgets within local authority have been ring-fenced for the coming years, education and social services. In order to maintain that level of spend then every other budget will have to be cut by 50%!
- increase in the cost of utilities
- rise in fuels costs (so if anyone wants to commute the cost will go up, I can't believe it now costs £7 for a return ticket to Cardiff from the Rhondda)
- The Back to Work programmes which has massively failed in getting people back into long term employment, so much so that statistics show it would have been better had it never even existed. Plus on top of that due to the way the contracts were handled it has driven businesses under as costs have not been covered.
- Increase in tuition fees
- To claim job seekers allowance now and other benefits then all applications need to be done on line. People within our poorest communities are not just computer illiterate but there are extremely low literacy and numeracy rates.
- The hold up in benefits for low income families caused by the above and any other query can leave them with literally nothing for weeks (not days)
- The legalised loan sharks such as Wonga etc that charge rates of over 1000% interest which can lead to astronomical debts within a matter of months. Then coupled with the low literacy and numeracy rates people don't actually know what they're getting involved with.

That's just off the top of my head. I could go on and on, but obviously there's no child poverty

Yes, there are. Closer to home than you may think.

Does this really happen in this country..? I mean 'come on surely not..?'

The way many childrens charties classify so-called 'Child Poverty' is crazy so much so that if two children share a bedroom then thats children in poverty!!!!!

What are your views on this because the wording 'Child Poverty' is being spoken about more and more by some.

Either a troll or incredibly ignorant.

Can you believe he was a councillor?

Whether being adopted myself has made me feel this way but personally I feel that if you can't feed your own children properly then the children should be taken away and put into good homes with loving adopted parents.

I would like to see inside a house of one of these families because I would hope that these parents out feeding their children ahead of watching tv, playing games consoles and other luxuries.

I find this all a bit strange, Forgive me If what I been told recently is incorrect, but allegedly the OP didn't have the best start in life, but that is personal and not for here.

But no child asks too be born, no child deserves to be born into an unloved home where drugs drink or anything for that matter comes before the welfare of the child you have created.

To me child poverty isn't just about material things, to me child poverty means being starved of love and attention and a sense of belonging.

I was very fortunate, one of three children born into a home with parents who were devoted to each other and us kids, I seen them have one tiff in over fifty years of marriage.My father had a good job but wanted to provide the best for us, both he and my mother had come from broken homes and possibly they were determined to do things properly for their kids.

My father bought a newsagents which he ran with my mother and carried on in his job for a few years before buying a second newsagent, we wanted for nothing as kids, but my parents felt guilty about not being able to spend as much time with us as they wanted to because they were working themselves to death.

In my early adult life I had similar views to the original poster, if you didn't work you were a scrounger, if you had bad nerves then you were weak and should pull yourself together etc etc

If you were a bit mentally slower on the uptake than others you must have mitched school or weren't bothered, totally wrong selfish attitude.

With age and experience I have changed considerably, I understand sympathise and even empathise with many of these problems, but if anyone can go through all their life with no problems personally or ones close to them, then good luck.

I believe strongly in Karma, and what goes around comes around, when you set yourself up with opinions such as some do, then people are waiting and even hoping in some cases to see you fall, quite often these people are the ones who step up to help you, because they are nice people and will hope you have learnt from your mistakes,

The world needs all sorts to keep on turning, to me poverty isn't about money, it's about love and friendship and using that comparison, I am a billionaire.

Years ago I would have wanted everyone to like me, with experience I have worked out that life isn't like that, but I am happy with what I am and also happy that those that know me, know I am a good loyal friend who will always step up to help, those that dislike or hate me, don't really know me and that's Ok by me, there are some that I would be concerned about if they did like me.

As Groucho Marks said, any club that would have me as a member,, I wouldn't want to join.

I find this all a bit strange, Forgive me If what I been told recently is incorrect, but allegedly the OP didn't have the best start in life, but that is personal and not for here.

But no child asks too be born, no child deserves to be born into an unloved home where drugs drink or anything for that matter comes before the welfare of the child you have created.

To me child poverty isn't just about material things, to me child poverty means being starved of love and attention and a sense of belonging.

I was very fortunate, one of three children born into a home with parents who were devoted to each other and us kids, I seen them have one tiff in over fifty years of marriage.My father had a good job but wanted to provide the best for us, both he and my mother had come from broken homes and possibly they were determined to do things properly for their kids.

My father bought a newsagents which he ran with my mother and carried on in his job for a few years before buying a second newsagent, we wanted for nothing as kids, but my parents felt guilty about not being able to spend as much time with us as they wanted to because they were working themselves to death.

In my early adult life I had similar views to the original poster, if you didn't work you were a scrounger, if you had bad nerves then you were weak and should pull yourself together etc etc

If you were a bit mentally slower on the uptake than others you must have mitched school or weren't bothered, totally wrong selfish attitude.

With age and experience I have changed considerably, I understand sympathise and even empathise with many of these problems, but if anyone can go through all their life with no problems personally or ones close to them, then good luck.

I believe strongly in Karma, and what goes around comes around, when you set yourself up with opinions such as some do, then people are waiting and even hoping in some cases to see you fall, quite often these people are the ones who step up to help you, because they are nice people and will hope you have learnt from your mistakes,

The world needs all sorts to keep on turning, to me poverty isn't about money, it's about love and friendship and using that comparison, I am a billionaire.

Years ago I would have wanted everyone to like me, with experience I have worked out that life isn't like that, but I am happy with what I am and also happy that those that know me, know I am a good loyal friend who will always step up to help, those that dislike or hate me, don't really know me and that's Ok by me, there are some that I would be concerned about if they did like me.

As Groucho Marks said, any club that would have me as a member,, I wouldn't want to join.

May I say that is the most interesting post you have done in a while Gwyn.

Having 3 mothers and 4 father's when you include birth, foster, and adoptive parents obviously wasn't the best start for me but knowing that the state done the best for me in my circumstances is good enough for me many years on.

I think the problem is now that the softly softly approach when it comes to bad parenting goes on for far too long before action is taken

I was told the other day that the Co op in Gelligear will actually exchange baby milk vouchers for anything you want - Fags, booze, anything. In fact if you go in there and exchange a baby milk voucher for urrr... baby milk (which they are only supposed to do) then they are quite suprised.

People in this country don't know poverty. Those who think they live in poverty should try a week in Somalia.

People in this country don't know poverty. Those who think they live in poverty should try a week in Somalia.

Not being horrible but if the Somalians put their guns away and concentrated on building their country then they'd be very rich. They have some of the best coastline anywhere in the world and would be a fantastic tourist destination. But that's all they are insterested in is shooting each other. Sorry but I have no sympathy for them.

People in this country don't know poverty. Those who think they live in poverty should try a week in Somalia.

Poverty isn't a competition.

The are people in Wales/ UK living in poverty, regardless of the poverty levels in Somalia/ Africa

People in this country don't know poverty. Those who think they live in poverty should try a week in Somalia.

Poverty is relative

"Not being horrible but if the Somalians put their guns away and concentrated on building their country then they'd be very rich. They have some of the best coastline anywhere in the world and would be a fantastic tourist destination. But that's all they are insterested in is shooting each other. Sorry but I have no sympathy for them."

???? - surely the children in poverty in places like this have not done anything to deserve their plight as such

poverty is relative, as the poster above yours pointed out in Africa (and yes I am spoeaking from hands on experience - i coach kids in HIV orphanages football for two weeks every year) - this is real poverty..

a distinct lack of clothing, food, and medicine with many of these kids suffering from HIV and even AIDS is much higher level of poverty

Whether being adopted myself has made me feel this way but personally I feel that if you can't feed your own children properly then the children should be taken away and put into good homes with loving adopted parents.

I would like to see inside a house of one of these families because I would hope that these parents out feeding their children ahead of watching tv, playing games consoles and other luxuries.

again, complete and utter ignorance to the situation in Wales at the minute, I too can't believe you were a councillor!

Whether being adopted myself has made me feel this way but personally I feel that if you can't feed your own children properly then the children should be taken away and put into good homes with loving adopted parents.

I would like to see inside a house of one of these families because I would hope that these parents out feeding their children ahead of watching tv, playing games consoles and other luxuries.

So if you were adopted we can't even verify that you were born in a normal fashion? I mean, I'm thinking of Damian and how he was sort of adopted and then went in to politics. You can see where I'm going here can't you? Angry Man, have you checked your body out for a 666 mark? We all know you are evil and selfish, perhaps it isn't your fault, perhaps it's because you are the child of satan?

Does this really happen in this country..? I mean 'come on surely not..?'

The way many childrens charties classify so-called 'Child Poverty' is crazy so much so that if two children share a bedroom then thats children in poverty!!!!!

What are your views on this because the wording 'Child Poverty' is being spoken about more and more by some.

Got to agree with you that example given is crazy, really crazy.

A child does not ask to be born. Therefore I believe society has a responsibilty to give each child an equal standing while at a vulnerable age. During this vunerable period some of us are lucky to be with our natural parents while some for one reason or another are looked after by the state via adoption or care homes. Whatever system a child finds itself in it should be given equal chances in the main essentials such as schooling, clothing and feeding. All children should be equal.


Sadly all children are not equal. Some are born into riches while others are destined to have nothing. We live in a society where people hang onto what they have even if they dont need it resulting in a look after no 1. Thats the way it is and it results in some gettng very greedy because they can do. This is why we have child poverty, there is enough to go around for everyone but some don't want to share.

Personally I feel we are going through a time period where the rich will get richer ad the poor poorer. This can only result is more child poverty and some other social degredations.

You have to define the difference between abject poverty and relative poverty when you question whether child poverty exists.

Is there such a thing as abject child poverty in this country?

I dont have any evidence to back this up but I would say no, as there is hope for people to break from the poverty line with the help from the state. Abject poverty by definition states that once you fall into a certain level of poverty there is no hope of recovery.

Is there such a thing as relative child poverty in this country?

Yes, this country defines what you need to be relatively comfortable in life, such as a roof over your head, food on your table, clothes on your back and shoes on your feet. Now as this country advances these basics are increased as the internet world increases internet access will soon be a basic need.
At the moment in this country, relative poverty is a real problem despite state involvement.

Abject child poverty? NO
Relative child poverty? YES

Does this really happen in this country..? I mean 'come on surely not..?'

The way many childrens charties classify so-called 'Child Poverty' is crazy so much so that if two children share a bedroom then thats children in poverty!!!!!

What are your views on this because the wording 'Child Poverty' is being spoken about more and more by some.

You represented the Gurnos, one of the most socially deprived areas in Wales. High rates of free school meals, unemployment and educational attainment.

Did you visit or speak to the constituents and actually take any note or waltz around promoting yourself with your blinkers on?

I really dont think there is suck a thing as poverty in this country, the only way there is child poverty is when the parents are either a junkie ir a alkie

or just purely selfish

Agreed

People in this country don't know poverty. Those who think they live in poverty should try a week in Somalia.

By 2015 we will be sending over £10.5billion to shitholes like Somalia

We should look after our own. Put measures in place to protect the genuinely
vulnerable kids in Britain. If there's anything left, by all means, send Somalia
a few t shirts.

Does this really happen in this country..? I mean 'come on surely not..?'

The way many childrens charties classify so-called 'Child Poverty' is crazy so much so that if two children share a bedroom then thats children in poverty!!!!!

What are your views on this because the wording 'Child Poverty' is being spoken about more and more by some.

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Does this really happen in this country..? I mean 'come on surely not..?'

The way many childrens charties classify so-called 'Child Poverty' is crazy so much so that if two children share a bedroom then thats children in poverty!!!!!

What are your views on this because the wording 'Child Poverty' is being spoken about more and more by some.

You represented the Gurnos, one of the most socially deprived areas in Wales. High rates of free school meals, unemployment and educational attainment.

Did you visit or speak to the constituents and actually take any note or waltz around promoting yourself with your blinkers on?

Wrong I represnted the Gurnos ward which also included one of the highest income areas within the borough too. That was one of the problems with that ward is that it was completely un-balanced income wise and you can't please everyone because they had completely different issues with their council.

Does this really happen in this country..? I mean 'come on surely not..?'

The way many childrens charties classify so-called 'Child Poverty' is crazy so much so that if two children share a bedroom then thats children in poverty!!!!!

What are your views on this because the wording 'Child Poverty' is being spoken about more and more by some.

You represented the Gurnos, one of the most socially deprived areas in Wales. High rates of free school meals, unemployment and educational attainment.

Did you visit or speak to the constituents and actually take any note or waltz around promoting yourself with your blinkers on?

Wrong I represnted the Gurnos ward which also included one of the highest income areas within the borough too. That was one of the problems with that ward is that it was completely un-balanced income wise and you can't please everyone because they had completely different issues with their council.

Gurnos or Gurnos ward, I'll suggest then the vast majority of your constituents lived on the estate or did you concentrate your energies on the 100 houses that make up Lakeside and Gwalodygarth? It would answer the fact you seemed to have missed any social deprivation as you handbagged your way with the great and the good.

How many garage or annex extensions did you wrangle?

First time ever the Save the Children charity are actually asking for aid for children in this country. Poverty is a real thing in this country

Does this really happen in this country..? I mean 'come on surely not..?'

The way many childrens charties classify so-called 'Child Poverty' is crazy so much so that if two children share a bedroom then thats children in poverty!!!!!

What are your views on this because the wording 'Child Poverty' is being spoken about more and more by some.

You represented the Gurnos, one of the most socially deprived areas in Wales. High rates of free school meals, unemployment and educational attainment.

Did you visit or speak to the constituents and actually take any note or waltz around promoting yourself with your blinkers on?

Wrong I represnted the Gurnos ward which also included one of the highest income areas within the borough too. That was one of the problems with that ward is that it was completely un-balanced income wise and you can't please everyone because they had completely different issues with their council.

Gurnos or Gurnos ward, I'll suggest then the vast majority of your constituents lived on the estate or did you concentrate your energies on the 100 houses that make up Lakeside and Gwalodygarth? It would answer the fact you seemed to have missed any social deprivation as you handbagged your way with the great and the good.

How many garage or annex extensions did you wrangle?

not enough obviously

I really dont think there is suck a thing as poverty in this country, the only way there is child poverty is when the parents are either a junkie ir a alkie

or just purely selfish

your mistaken, plenty of families cant afford food and heating plenty of kids go to school unfed and it aint always for the reasons you suggest, granted there are loads of cases like you say..parents can afford to get 8 cans ech a night in and have a smoke and the kids go to school in dirty uniforms with no breakfast while the parents watch JK on a 50in plasma through a sky+ HD box..but you would be surprised at the number of families genuinely in poverty..

bet you had no idea there were such things as food banks? where people walk to for miles in the pissing down rain to get the basics given to em..plenty sit in cold houses as they cant afford to put gas in the meter..sadly there is poverty in the uk and the sooner people wake up and realise it the better.

Gurnos has the highest rate of income in Merthyr?

Probably cos of all the sponging cunts on every benefit under the sun.