Tories punishing kids with hunger

How many children in Britain went hungry this Christmas because their parents couldn’t afford to give them a decent meal, let alone presents? Yet this dreadful Tory Government plans to means test Universal Credit which could see a million more children not getting free school meals (Mirror, Dec 19).

It seems Scrooge is alive and well in the 21st century in the form of the Conservative Party.

Once they bring back the poor house, their work will be complete.

The sooner we get rid of Theresa May and her incompetent Cabinet of millionaires, the better it will be for the vast majority of people living in Britain.

Mark Smith, Bootle, Merseyside

Could this Tory Government be any more despicable than it already is by literally taking food out of children’s mouths? By means testing low-income families who are on the unworkable Universal Credit, one million children could be set to lose out on free school meals. Families with three children earning more than a paltry £7,400 per annum will have to find an extra £3,582 to make up for the loss in free school meals. This shows Universal Credit was never actually designed to simplify the benefits system, but is a means of cutting payments.

Brian Scully, Wigan

Over Christmas I watched the film Scrooge, a story based on Charles Dickens’ novel A Christmas Carol. In the movie, people collect food for starving children while Scrooge charges extra interest for his tenants who are behind with their rent.

With the Tories’ plans to means test Universal Credit, meaning a million more children could lose access to free school meals, and with homelessness on the rise in our towns and cities, it seems nothing has changed in 170 years.

C Beaumont, Newport, Gwent

The Children’s Society has expressed concern about Universal Credit and free school meals after the end of a consultation. Any changes to the limits would mean a million children will lose their free school dinner.

Surely, this should not be tolerated? Never mind taking our country back after Brexit, how about taking it back now?

Gary Martin East London

I back Labour’s idea of free school meals for all children. This would be funded from general taxation, like the schools themselves.

That way there is no stigma attached to getting free meals and we can be sure that all children get fed at least when they are at school.

Janet Mather, Manchester

Why can’t this Tory Government admit that they are failing this country and call an election, so the public can vote again? I know Labour has its problems, but they would at least introduce free school meals for all, so no child would go hungry.

Mel Ingleton Coulsdon South London

“If they would rather die, perhaps they better do it, and decrease the surplus population.” Scrooge, quoted from A Christmas Carol, 1843. Need I say more?

Emile Wilson via Facebook