The Budget measure to increase benefit payments by $25 per week could put two meals a week on the table, but will it decrease child poverty? I do not think so.
The reason is that there is no certainty that this increase will be spent on food. In fact, history shows us it is way more likely this money will be spent on servicing debt and items such as cellphones and big TVs and there is also alcohol, smoking and gambling. To prevent this more effort needs to go into community education, which is an investment rather than cost because it gets people not only living within their means but actually saving. This builds up their resilience and self-esteem because they are not reliant on others.
It is generally agreed that you can save on the benefit if you have no debt. There are lenders like banks and building societies that advance money to beneficiaries because they believe the beneficiaries can repay the loan plus interest. These lenders are proof that they believe beneficiaries can save. It is not easy for beneficiaries but remember one resource they have more of than employees is time.
This provides the opportunity to cook rather than use takeaways. If you cannot cook well there is the opportunity to learn this basic life skill.
There is the opportunity to have a vege garden or utilise a community garden.
