It is always the right thing to force more from the government. That’s what they are there for. Charities and foodbanks are a failure of government.

Far too often the government gets let off the hook. Help for Heroes and the Earl Haig fund are prime examples. They exist as businesses for the purpose of keeping themselves going and never criticise or lobby government for their failure to provide for veterans and their families.

Depends how you look at it mate.

I'd say people living within their means, a return to families looking after each other, people planning ahead in case of the worst happening, less blowing of disposable income and a culture of responsibility rather than dependency would stop the need for as many handouts or charities.

I don't think it's the government's responsibility to make people have comfortable lives, but they should indeed provide a safeguard to those who are in the very worst of situations until they can get back on their feet.  They can provide the levers for people to better their lives, but throwing money at people just creates laziness that other people pay for and which often doesn't solve anything, just creating further problems instead.

I'd say foodbanks are largely a failure of people to run their lives properly rather than anything to do with the government, especially when they already give folk money through benefits.  There will, of course, be exceptions to this.

My aunty/uncle had 7 children and the two of them worked their fingers to the bone and sold possessions to get them presents at Christmas and the likes.  I doubt they blamed the government for their skintness.  Of course, once the weans grew up and moved out they lead stressfree lives with appreciative children who look after them well into their old age.  Short term pain for long term gain.  I'm not saying the government can't help people, but we've gone too far with everyone looking to the government for everything in my opinion.  You don't get anything easy in life.

I'm not even saying the taxpayer-funded school meals shouldn't happen, but there needs to be a sensible discussion rather than everyone reverting to the default of just calling the Tories evil and heartless