aliceBB Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-28831242 I'm cynical about this. If Cameron has money to throw around with the aim of supporting families (presumably just 'hardworking' ones, rather than the feckless!), would it not be better spent on high-quality ante-natal parenting classes and continuing access to parenting help as the children get older? These would include advice about how to keep channels of communication open, teach respect and good manners, defuse confrontations and how to resist, and help your kids resist, the onslaught of consumerism (designer clothes, electronic games, new mobiles, etc) which are unaffordable for many parents. My personal favourite would be a huge investment in child health and nutrition, beginning with the whole-hearted promotion of and support for breastfeeding for babies in all social classes. Then subsidies for nutritious fresh food and higher taxes on junk? Or free, high quality school meals for any family where the parents agree to attend cooking classes (with their kids) so they can continue to feed them well at home? Govt. subsidies for educational school visits for kids whose parents can't afford them. Free or heavily subsidised family entrance tickets to musuems, galleries and leisure centres for those who cannot afford it. Cash incentives for kids who achieve above their indicated grades at GCSE (contraversial, I appreciate!) What do you think about Cameron's initiative? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Shaw Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 HMG has no money; and the scheme would not be funded by the Conservative Party either. Who pays? We do- the taxpayers. 'Twere ever thus. But if it saves families and individuals from spiraling downrwards- it saves taxpayers' money (Benefits, policing, prison space, etc.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mecky Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 So basically it's nearing election time and the tories will now want votes from people that they've kicked in the head for the last four and a half years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPC464 Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 It's meaningless nonsense - Radio 4 had a clip of Cameron saying the same thing just after he became Tory leader. When pressed for who he means, the answer is vague to the point of nothingness - it means everyone, in whatever kind of family - people with kids, not with kids, married, single, elderly, whatever.... It doesn't mean anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Cid Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 It's meaningless nonsense - Radio 4 had a clip of Cameron saying the same thing just after he became Tory leader. When pressed for who he means, the answer is vague to the point of nothingness - it means everyone, in whatever kind of family - people with kids, not with kids, married, single, elderly, whatever.... It doesn't mean anything. Perhaps the Tories would be more liked if David Davis had won the leadership? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonzo77 Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Clamping down on big corporations that don't pay tax would free up billions! Any politician giving a cast iron promise on this issue would get my vote. Till then, I'll continue not voting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliceBB Posted August 21, 2014 Author Share Posted August 21, 2014 Most politicians' 'cast iron promises' concerning the life chances of children are generally a case of sound over substance. It's not a reason not to vote, though. That way, the ones who do get into power just get away with even more appalling decisions and you have forfeited the moral or intellectual right to complain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zamo Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 So basically it's nearing election time and the tories will now want votes from people that they've kicked in the head for the last four and a half years People have been kicked in the head by the recession and the trillion pound debt left by Labour. You might not agree with the way they are tidying up the mess but let's not forget who made the mess. As for the family-friendly policy... yes, just a soundbite. We'll be getting loads from all the political parties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliceBB Posted August 21, 2014 Author Share Posted August 21, 2014 So what would constitute genuinely family friendly policies, then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickiethecat Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 So what would constitute genuinely family friendly policies, then? Preventing anyone on benefits or who lives on a council estate from breeding. Unfortunately this might be difficult to enforce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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