Stafford Health

[AndyST17]

I've just come across Staffords health profile, makes interesting reading, a bit of a shock that over 2000 children are living in poverty in Stafford tho.

http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=171753

 

[kyoto49]

I've just come across Staffords health profile, makes interesting reading, a bit of a shock that over 2000 children are living in poverty in Stafford tho.

http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=171753

What is the definition of poverty used for this report? It doesn't surprise me - take a walk along Moorfields, Pitt Street, John Donne Street, you'll find plenty of real poverty and deprivation.

 

[proactive]

I too would be interested in knowing what the definition of poverty used in this report is.

However, whatever it is, even if only one child was living in poverty it would still be a disgrace. I'm amazed that local councillors who represent these wards aren't jumping up and down raising hell over this.

 

[littleme]

What is the definition of poverty used for this report? It doesn't surprise me - take a walk along Moorfields, Pitt Street, John Donne Street, you'll find plenty of real poverty and deprivation.

Yep, BUT, I would say that the kids are only living in poverty because the parents are busy spending their benefits on drugs & alcohol.

 

[Gramaisc]

I too would be interested in knowing what the definition of poverty used in this report is.

However, whatever it is, even if only one child was living in poverty it would still be a disgrace. I'm amazed that local councillors who represent these wards aren't jumping up and down raising hell over this.

I suspect that you are not really amazed.

 

[proactive]

I suspect that you are not really amazed.

OK, saddened is probably closer to the mark.

 

[kyoto49]

Yep, BUT, I would say that the kids are only living in poverty because the parents are busy spending their benefits on drugs & alcohol.

I tend to think like this as well sadly. All the local kids I know who live in dirty filthy houses and that who suffer terrible parenting all seem to have parents who have money for fags, and satellite telly. Needless to say none of them work. it makes me so cynical.

I remember walking behind a young Mum who was smoking and hearing her 5 year old son absolutely begging her to buy him some PE kit for school. Her response was that she couldn't afford it. She was quite happy to let her son get both ridiculed by his peers and get in to trouble wth the teachers while she carried on smoking. The PE kits cost £3.50 for the shorts and just needed a cheap white T shirt. I was quite angry after hearing this conversation I can tell you

 

[Floss]

In schools you see it everyday unfortunately, kids having nothing to eat other than their free school meal and having had no breakfast either, it's not out of the ordinary to provide breakfast or money for a drink for some of the pupils.

 

[kyoto49]

In schools you see it everyday unfortunately, kids having nothing to eat other than their free school meal and having had no breakfast either, it's not out of the ordinary to provide breakfast or money for a drink for some of the pupils.

Why would you need to buy them a drink, serious question, is water not free, the best drink there is??

 

[gilesjuk]

Poverty is defined as a percentage (60%?) of average earnings. It's not quite what it used to mean, ie. being without clothes, food and a roof over their head.

To me it seems that these days it means disadvantaged. So if they don't have access to the latest computer technology they are then disadvantaged in life due to lack of skills with technology etc.

 

[gilesjuk]

Yep, BUT, I would say that the kids are only living in poverty because the parents are busy spending their benefits on drugs & alcohol.

But the line you will hear these days is "why shouldn't I have drugs, alcohol and my own children when other people do as well". Almost like the right to have kids and a drink/drug habit is written in the human right act.

 

[Alee]

Sadly I also have to agree ....BUT there are exceptions.

What also annoys me is when families who are clearly really struggling financially decide to spend all their money on pets ! Seriously if you can't afford to provide for your kids why would you even consider buying new pets nearly every week.

and im sorry but living in poverty is not an excuse to have a filthy house . Can buy a big bottle of smartprice bleach for under a £1

 

[shoes]

 

[Floss]

Why would you need to buy them a drink, serious question, is water not free, the best drink there is??

It is but more convenient to have a bottle you can refill rather than having to have to wait until break or lunch.

 

[captainpish]

When you watch something like benefits street where they are all whinging about having their dole cut or bedroom tax, they all do so with a fag hanging out of their gobs. Its like 8 quid for a pack of 20. How can they afford anything other than fags at those prices? The real problem is the price of fags. Its putting these families into poverty. They cant afford to feed their kids because the benefits they recieve will only cover 20 fags a day and nothing else. No wonder they dont have any credit on the gas meter. Cant the government subsidise the fags?