The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11427207

This could happen to anyone..:(

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Indeed it can.

I remember when I was hard up years and years ago, all I could afford to eat was broken biscuits for lunch, tuna and pasta for dinner and maybe as a treat one of those all day breakfast in a can with cheapo super noodles (once a week).

I wish I had known about these places then I can tell you.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

My wife in a previous relationship was in this kind of situation, this while her then-partner was working.

It's really not nice and a harsh indictment of our benefit system but one that rarely makes the news sadly.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

And people sometimes criticise those on benefits who turn to the black economy to try to make ends meet.

Nice to see something sympathetic for a change.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Excellent work from the Charity though :tu:. :clap:

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

I must admit..before reading this, I had preconceived notion of someone taking advantage of the system or charity. But, did catch me out, good to see others with such strong spirit to help others, and someone humble and embarrassed accepting (not expecting charity, but accepting it with humility).

Too often it isn't that way, at least, the stories that are publicised show the negative side of britain.

Not ashamed to admit a dry eye was close to being breached :)

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Hang on a minute:

Here's an idea, sell the car, and the house and buy something less expensive and use what's left to pay for your own food.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

If only they had thought of that, oh wait...

Our first plan was to sell the car, as it's worth a fair bit, but we couldn't. Nobody wanted to buy it."

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Clearly you didn't bother to read the article then. Allow me:

and

But hey, why let the facts get in the way of naked class prejudice.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Oops, :doh: it would have been a better idea, I must admit I only read it very quickly and missed that bit.

But how can someone who has a lifestyle like that get themselves into a position where they need food parcels. As for not being able to sell the car, someone will always want to buy it, but not at the price they might want to sell it for. It must have been a terrible car for someone not to want to buy it at all. I can't help wondering if they are largely responsible their own situation. Enjoying the trappings of a lifestyle they couldn't afford but ignoring things that really matter. It appears they still managed to go on holiday though.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

It has to be said that the first thing i thought was "sell the car" thankfully i learned a long time ago to continue reading ,how many times has someone posted only to have it blow up in their faces because they either haven't checked facts or continued reading to the end
by the way lmao :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

---------- Post added at 22:07 ---------- Previous post was at 22:05 ----------


you sure you read the rest of the article ..it's all explained in there you know and it's perfectly reasonable

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Fair comments imo, don't really blame them though, many people struggle to accept changes in circumstance and hope to turn the corner any day, the need to accept food parcels may well have woken them up to the fact drastic action was needed.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Keep digging.......

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

You mean the bit where she said that they use vouchers from newspapers? All very well, but those vouchers wouldn't cover he cost of actually being on holiday.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

And you know this how?

You mean if the vouchers covered the accommodation, and it was self-catering, which means they would be spending the same on food as they do at home?

Now, we don't know if that's the case, but equally, we don't know if it is.

But don't let the old class warfare goggles slip, shall we?

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

I have to say that Flyboy does have a point. Ideally, one would make sure that the savings one has are sufficient to tie one over for a reasonable time so you can take action like selling the car and house if needed. The fact they couldn't suggests they were spending a bit more than they should. The fact that they don't smoke or drink is neither here nor there. Perhaps their mortgage was a bit higher than they could really afford.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Common sense tells us that newspapers don't give away holidays for free. They are typically a ferry to France for a pound, or ten per cent off accommodation. Surely you don't think they actually got holidays for free do you?

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

My point is that you seem to be willing to give some people a very well extended benefit of the doubt, with lots of perhaps, maybes, and presumptions, but on the other hand, if it is Mr and Mrs Average-Over-Extended, or Old Bill, is involved, Mr Negative-Attitude does seem to visit......

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

They tend to cover the cost of the accomodation (which can be the biggest expense when you stay in this country). Another big cost is the food, which can be reduced by taking at least some food with you.

Then you can cut costs further by staying in the chalet/caravan and only doing things that are free or cheap (which *is* possible if you look). The only cost you can't cut really is the cost of getting to/from the place.

Now, while doing all that wouldn't necessarily produce the sort of holiay I would want, it can be done..

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

savings have a finite quantity they don't last forever,how long is a reasonable time ? 3 months ,6 months ? Maybe the car had finance on it so had to be sold at minimum price to clear the finance same for the house
If you read the article the family had exhausted their savings ,maxed out their credit cards tried to sell the car and the house

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

You forget the series of deals the Sun did where you could get a caravan for a week for £10.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Yes. I am aware of that. What I am saying is that the article suggests they could have planned better, and were probably spending a bit more of their income than would have been wise and (for instance) not not relying on finance but saving up for things a bit more.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

To be fair though. some may be basing their opinion on the fact that she 'claimed the food pacels' so she must have been desperate.

but then you have this 'luxury' car that couldn't be sold, and holidays paid for by vouchers.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Perhaps it was, and perhaps thats what caused them to burn through their savings..

As noted above, Savings have a finite limit.

It's easy to say they were spending more than they should, but what should they do? Sell the house and car at a massively reduced price, take a (potentially large) loss and still have to make up the difference in terms of the mortgage? Wait until (hopefully) the market picks up again and they can sell the house? A few years ago, my parents were in a situation where those were the choices, thanks to a failed business. My dad took the decision to keep the house, and through a lot of hard work, together, my mum and dad were able to reduce the debt we had built.

Now, I know the decision was not an easy one (he could have just decided to sell the house, use that to pay the debt and rent somewhere), but I believe in the long run, it was the right one.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

I actually know of a couple with 2 kids who are like this.
he spends all his money on tools for his self employed property maintenance business. she spends all his money on her 'luxury' lifestyle.

no bills are being paid.
he thinks it's all down to her because he's working 7 days a week, and she puts everything off till he gets his next big cheque.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Oh, I know of plenty of couples like that. I also know of plenty of couples who's instance on a luxury lifestyle has led to heavy debts. According to a family member who lived in the wealthiest part of my town, most of the neighbours had debts of at least £500,000 (not including Mortgage, which could have been up to £1m with some of the houses), yet they all had the latest flash cars, designer clothes and latest gadgets. They also had cleaners, nannys etc and went on expensive holidays.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

How can you say that the couple you know are like this couple the two situations aren't even close

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Oh. Absolutely. I also never said they did, only that there is a suggestion they did. Let's face it. Many people think they are living within their means if they can pay the interest on their credit cards. They may or may not have been living like this, but if you can go from a cushy lifestyle to relying on a food bank in a period that is too short to sell your car it does suggest that perhaps your car (or your mortgage) was too expensive in the first place.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

I wasn't saying that they're the same. but I am pretty amazed that she 'they' told their story to the BBC. as the couple I know wouldn't dream of letting anyone know they're not as well off as the neighbours in the same street are.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

isn't that the case with 1000's of families ,i also know many families ,some i have done jobs for (built conservatories ect.)all on finance ,massively overstretched motgages,car finance ,10grand on the credit card .In this case without having access to the family finances we will never know ,but i do accept that many people have fallen victim to temptation of easy credit which is why the country and the world is in the financial mess we are in

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

So is everyone saying this couldn't happen to anyone?:(:confused::(

I'm sort of confused as to why such negativity towards people who found themselves in over their heads..:confused:

The wealthy can't make mistakes..can't be cut some slack?Can't hope that a job will be along soon and that they can manage for a little while longer?

As for selling the car why?To spend on bus journeys?You seen how much public transport costs these days?Must be the equivalent of keeping a car running..

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

she told the story anonymously and her kids still don't know ,also she didn't tell her husband at first

---------- Post added at 23:07 ---------- Previous post was at 23:04 ----------

i agree with you maggie on the face of it the family did everything they could to make ends meet untill things got better ,i think we should take this story on face value and not try to second guess what we think actually happened and how the lived

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

If they were benefit claimants we'd demand they sold their car wouldn't we?

lol fancy pulling up at the jobcentre to sign on in it. it'll be scratched to death before you can say it's cheaper than catching the bus here! :D

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

I don't know! Do we?Is that actually a written down rule?You don't get benefit until you sell your car or your house?:confused:

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Yes. It can happen to anyone. And I'm not being negative towards anyone. I'm just saying that given the apparent wealth they had at their disposal, it seems to have happened to them more quickly than one might expect.

Also, as Marty says. We don't know the facts, so it's best not to speculate too much, and just take the story at face value.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Totally prejudiced remarks like this which seem to reinforce the present notion that everybody on benefits or looking for a job is a low-life vandal will hardly encourage people on their uppers to seek the help they are entitled to.
Then again its just the sort of moronic remark I've come to expect from Gary.:td::td:

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

I thought benefit was based on level of savings. And she didn't say if she could never get benefit, but that she can't get it right away, delay in processing etc.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

When I was made redundant from my previous permanent job, I kept my company car (Audi A4 Avant) for six months as part of the deal; I used to take it to sign on (for state pension credits, not JSA, as part of the deal was 8 months money), and it was never scratched. ;)

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

I'm glad you think like that. it's a shame I haven't seen you speak up for these people in the prejudiced threads.

---------- Post added at 08:26 ---------- Previous post was at 08:25 ----------

Is an Audi A4 a luxury car then? :)

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

The OP link stated "expensive car", and since the A4's list price was approx £29k*, it probably fits that description. ;)

*company car

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

For a guy without a car...any car is a luxury

The petrol alone is worth a fortune :D

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

The first thing to come into your head isn't invariably the best thing to post Gary, but to answer your "question", I have countered many, many of your prejudiced posts over the months.
As usual though Gary you are trying to divert attention from your own bigoted views by shifting the onus onto me, we are all well aware this is how you operate.
Now we have three choices, you'll follow form and post a completely pointless reposte, as you have above to foreverwars post, once again avoiding answering the question, secondly you'll do what you did to me and try to shift the attention from your prejudiced post by answering a question with a question, or you could try for once what 99% of other posters on this site do, that is answer the original question.
Just to remind you, "why do you claim that a decent car will be vandalized by people who are claiming benefit or out of work"?
Have you any evidence to back this prejudiced and puerile claim up, or is it simply your current mindset after looking at the Sun for to long?
Come on Gary surprise me for once, and answer the question.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

My Range Rover Sport got scratched when I popped into the jobcentre once.
there you go. am I now allowed to make a joke about something which won't give you reason to post such a big amount over something so small?

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Could we stick to the topic please which is not about scoring points about supposed and imaginary situations you have found yourselves at the jobcentre.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

I got the impression the article was highlighting the charity and how, should a family come into desperate needs, they could reach out to them.
Bear in mind, a proud couple who were trying (despite losing their family home and means of transport) to sell their car and their house STILL had no money while they were trying to do this. They didn't just come to the decision they would sell their property and car and then everything suddenly became alright in a snap. They were still struggling to feed their kids and needed some help.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Does the EU still handout excess stocks of beef (in cans) dried milk, butter, etc?

Last time I enquired about it, the system was being run in the UK by a church group that didn't seem to pass stuff out except to their own congregation.

Re: The 'hidden hunger' in British families
 

Maybe you should have kept it in the matchbox it came in then.;)

I have not seen many nigh on fifty grand cars frequenting the JS, well full size ones anyway, you live in a dream world mate. I'd hazard a guess the RRS is probably a five speed push-bike with a bald tyre.:)