A thread re #FreeSchoolMeals ..
I have seen the best and worst in people since the scandal of meagre food parcels came out thanks to my twitter friend @RoadsideMum. I have seen people offer to help, to raise funds, deliver food..Great work by @MarcusRashford @BootstrapCook ..1/2

I have seen the worst in people + this is what I want to address.
To those who said things like "if you can't feed them don't breed them" Do you know that most of us (including many of you) are only 2/3 pay cheques away from destitution? That your firm could close tomorrow? 2/3

Here's the thing; just as you say "why should we pay for your kids?" . ..Others could say "Why should we pay for your sick pay, your pension?" " Why should we pay for your NHS, your old folks home etc? " " Can't you pay for it yourself? " 3/4

What if people started saying you should' nt get sick pay or a pension in cash..in case you spend it on booze or fags or drugs?
These, just like #SocialSecurity (welfare payments) are paid out of NI and Tax. It is a safety net we contribute to in order to help each other.4/5

The Tories have changed the labelling to make this Safety Net sound like some bountiful gift from the State and in the process have managed to stigmatise recipients of this. Remember Ian Duncan Smith claiming recipients were in bed while "you" were working?
#SocialSecurity 5/6

Is what it should be called. It is a collective (social) security blanket to be there for those who need it. It used to be called Department of Health and Social Security.6/7

I believe it should be called that again...because without Social Security ie food, warmth, clothing, housing, you cannot be healthy... and if you end up in poor health you can lose your social security.7/8

However, to get back to the "don't feed em" brigade... I saw Carla on Jeremy Vine assert that poor people come into.her supermarket trying to exchange vouchers for garden seats etc..This is nonsense. Vouchers are quite specific.
Carla then went on to say "only healthy food" 8/9

Like fruit should be allowed an "no biscuits"..I have 2 issues with this;
1) Is Soreen loaf and plastic cheese "healthy food"?
2) Are we, as a Society really saying that poor kids can't even get a bloody biscuit?
Is that what we have become?
9/10

Instead of sanctimoniously moralising over what people, most of whom are in poverty through no fault of their own, are or are not allowed to buy or eat.. Cast your eyes further.. Who caused all this sudden poverty? Why have the rich got miles richer under this govt 10/11

Thousands have not suddenly become work shy shirkers. This poverty is caused by a corrupt government intent on making its pals richer and others poorer.
Unemployment suits them, they can use it to lower wages + worsen conditions. 11/12

The old employers mantra of "Plenty of folk looking for a job if you don't like the hours and wages".. Its been done before!
12/13