To an extent, but then you need to introduce a system by which they are refunded at point of use, and a system to prevent them being sold for cash on a black market that will florish (because invariably a voucher system can't compensate for the fluxtuation in expenditure for example sometimes you need more for clothes).

Plus, occassionally there is money required for other things, such as travel, public transport use, books, car maintenance and other products of life (mobile phone, internet etc).

As such vouchers represent a problem in that they lack a flexibility of cash.

Now I know that other people will disagree about mobile phone and internet etc - but if you want people to find work, these are pretty much essential tools in the modern age. Also things like access to books really make a difference in the prospects of kids in improving their future chances

I've always believed that engery supply like water, should be 'free' to the consumer, to an extent and recovered through taxation.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

Some good points Jaimie but why does the solution to poverty always = more money?

As I mentioned at the beginning of the thread, a lot is to do with life skills. The ability to cook from scratch, repair clothes and yes learn to read / write and use a computer. I would much rather see money invested in this than just throwing money at people and not solving the problem.

so right on those points,kids having kids having kids,nothing is taught to the next generation.
Simply because they have not been shown or taught themselves.

always a Norwood boy, where ever I live.

Are you lazy or inept?

The surveryed teachers are f***ing thick if they think they've seen Victorian era poverty.

No socks... They'd have no shoes and you'd see their skin hanging off their bones.

Optimistic as ever

Read my earlier post at the beginning of the thread. I said that it is applicable to everyone, however those who are poorest are the ones who are impacted the most. It was ever thus. I can sew a bit, I'm a decent cook, my mum had three fifths of f*** all to bring us up. A combination of wider family and the skills I mentioned meant I had a pretty good childhood.

If you are a Mr or Mrs Average, you can afford to throw away clothes when they lose a button or two and buy a large amount of ready made or prepared meals. If you're "poor" or on benefits you can't. Everyone myself included, could and probably should be smarter with how we spend our money

I can just about, because my dad was good at the DIY stuff and I had to do needlework in school (I'm s**t at sowing, but I can just about thread a needle, stitch on a button etc). My poor DIY knowledge is supplimented by Google and a decent book on DIY my dad gave me.

But I also understand that a lot of people don't have access to certain skills, because they've never had an opportunity to learn them or inherit them from their parents or wider family - and without access to those skills their capacity to 'resolve an issue without wealth' is difficult (thanks to Google I can wire a plug with confidence, change fuses etc).

But its pot luck. Other people in my family are at a loss for DIY etc, and consequently they'd have to pay other people to do it, which is where the wealth factor kicks in (because the general rule of life is either you do it, or pay someone else to do it).

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]