THE TORIES THINK THAT THERE IS NO NEED FOR FOOD BANKS IN TODAY'S BRITAIN

Especially, as  you never seem to get smoked salmon, foie gras, or  jeroboams of  2002 Ayala there...

Eton Boy, or at least one of his servants (that's what at least some Tories are calling staff now, isn't it?) has said that there is no need for food banks in Britain because benefit levels are set at a high enough to pay for essentials.

Under 25s currently receive £56,25 per week. 

Out of that they have to pay water rates at, on average £4 a week, leaving them around £52,25.

At this time of the year I am using around £5 of electricity a week and around £10 of gas in a small flat with excellent insulation, new double glazing and a modern efficient gas central heating system, so, although not all the year round, at least in winter I have to find around £15 a week for fuel... so that leaves about £37.

Allowing £3,00 a day for three meals will take you down to £16.  You're not going to get much nourishment for that money, especially of you are under 25 with a healthy appetite, but it should more or less keep body and soul together, albeit at an unhealthy level of nutrition. (You can forget your 5 a day and wholemeal bread). 

A tv licence costs £3 a week; house insurance at least another £2 a week (yes, some don't have it, but it's a BIG risk); then there is soap, washing powder, shaving materials or sanitary goods, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bin bags, telephone (you can't look for jobs without a telephone, stamps, paper), clothes, bus fares, repair of domestic appliances, dental treatment, all of which you won't have to pay for in one week, but you have to take account of because they need to be bought at some stage. I've probably left somethings out...

Even at that, it doesn't leave much for anything else, does it? 

So, do people need food banks in 2013 Britain? Yes, I think so.

Do people in Downing Street have the slightest idea whether people need food banks or not? Hmmmm. What do you think?

Of course we are Better Together. Life is just a bowl of cherries in the United Kingdom.