• FUEL poverty, food poverty, free meals for kids? Are we really in such a perilous state?

Most of us have our own opinions on the definition of poverty, which changes through the generations. But some, I believe, have an “entitlement” problem.

It’s the government’s responsibility, according to some, to provide. What about individual responsibility?

The government has not, nor has it ever, had a store of cash that it can suddenly delve into to bail us all out over and over again. Any revenue a government spends should be raised from taxation or restrictions in expenditure.

Do all children need free meals, in school or in holiday periods? Do children really need mobile phones?

No doubt there are families that have limited resources and do require assistance, but certainly not all. I saw many families queueing outside restaurants during the half-term holiday.

Any assistance should surely go towards those in genuine need. Many years ago none of the benefits that are prevalent now were available.

The government is throwing money around like confetti and we will be paying for it for generations to come.

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