Therese Coffey suggests some people on Universal Credit are too wealthy to get free school meals

HAYSIE

The health secretary has suggested some people on Universal Credit are too wealthy to get free school meals in response to calls to increase the number of people eligible for the benefit.

Therese Coffey claimed those earning over £40,000 a year on UC could be eligible for free school lunches for their children if the threshold was extended.

Coffey told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday: "I know this (extend threshold for free school meals) has been suggested in the past.

"I am aware that people could be earning over £40,000 and still be on UC.

"I think it is important support is targeted. I am not aware of any further changes that are being proposed to what happens today."

When pressed on whether this meant she was against the extension, she said it was for the education secretary to decide.

She added: “I am just flagging that people in UC given it is a dynamic in-work and out-of-work benefit can actually be earning a considerable amount of money, which I think other taxpayers may be surprised to learn that someone on £35,000 to £40,000 would all of a sudden become eligible for free school meals.”

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/therese-coffey-jamie-oliver-free-school-meals-153005044.html

lucy4

This is a bit of a debateable one as obviously a family on a low income that needs topping up with UC should automatically qualify for free school meals. Then you get the higher earners who qualify for UC but their household income falls in the £35-£40 k bracket, there is a case for a means tested assessment. Years ago Child Allowance was paid to every family whether they earned £100 or £5000 per week whether they needed it or not,a review of that system was long overdue and it did happen. Benefits should be there for the households that genuinely need help not for those who see them as a bit of a bonus.

HAYSIE

lucy4 said:

This is a bit of a debateable one as obviously a family on a low income that needs topping up with UC should automatically qualify for free school meals. Then you get the higher earners who qualify for UC but their household income falls in the £35-£40 k bracket, there is a case for a means tested assessment. Years ago Child Allowance was paid to every family whether they earned £100 or £5000 per week whether they needed it or not,a review of that system was long overdue and it did happen. Benefits should be there for the households that genuinely need help not for those who see them as a bit of a bonus.

Therese Coffey is pathetic.

A number of people have suggested that the household income threshold for those being able to claim free school meals for their kids is increased.
This threshold currently stands at £7,400.
So anyone with a little common sense might agree that this was a good idea.
Despite the government help with energy bills, the cap has still doubled in the last 12 months.
This means an increase of £100 per month.
This will obviously affect the families with the lowest income, the most.
Particularly the 30% of UC claimants that dont work at all.

She has completely missed the point (probably on purpose) by suggesting that this may mean that UC claimants with an income of over £40,000 could end up with free school meals.
Was anyone suggesting that we went that far?

I must admit that I was unaware that anyone with an income of £40,000 was able to claim any benefits.
Although I feel that they probably represent a fairly small minority.

An increase to the threshold to help those with the lowest incomes would seem to be sensible.

HAYSIE

HAYSIE said:

lucy4 said:

This is a bit of a debateable one as obviously a family on a low income that needs topping up with UC should automatically qualify for free school meals. Then you get the higher earners who qualify for UC but their household income falls in the £35-£40 k bracket, there is a case for a means tested assessment. Years ago Child Allowance was paid to every family whether they earned £100 or £5000 per week whether they needed it or not,a review of that system was long overdue and it did happen. Benefits should be there for the households that genuinely need help not for those who see them as a bit of a bonus.

Therese Coffey is pathetic.

A number of people have suggested that the household income threshold for those being able to claim free school meals for their kids is increased.
This threshold currently stands at £7,400.
So anyone with a little common sense might agree that this was a good idea.
Despite the government help with energy bills, the cap has still doubled in the last 12 months.
This means an increase of £100 per month.
This will obviously affect the families with the lowest income, the most.
Particularly the 30% of UC claimants that dont work at all.

She has completely missed the point (probably on purpose) by suggesting that this may mean that UC claimants with an income of over £40,000 could end up with free school meals.
Was anyone suggesting that we went that far?

I must admit that I was unaware that anyone with an income of £40,000 was able to claim any benefits.
Although I feel that they probably represent a fairly small minority.

An increase to the threshold to help those with the lowest incomes would seem to be sensible.

Another question is why are they paying benefits to those earning over 40k per year.

HAYSIE

https://twitter.com/i/status/1579719074396839936

lucy4

I give up on the lot of them, Truss didn't put people in positions based on their capability/knowledge/understanding of the posts but handed out jobs to her inner circle of friends.

HAYSIE

lucy4 said:

I give up on the lot of them, Truss didn't put people in positions based on their capability/knowledge/understanding of the posts but handed out jobs to her inner circle of friends.

Same as Boris.

Glenelg

HAYSIE said:

lucy4 said:

I give up on the lot of them, Truss didn't put people in positions based on their capability/knowledge/understanding of the posts but handed out jobs to her inner circle of friends.

Same as Boris.

Same as all pm's. Thats what they ALL do.....