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nigelbaxendale

Free Lunch Anyone?


More memes twisting reality and ignoring what is actually happening. They are not taking free school meals away from anyone currently receiving them. They are adjusting how things operate for the future, as part of a long term strategy. Apparently, the initial impact is expected to be that 50,000 more children will receive free school meals.


As for the subsidy enjoyed by MPs in the restaurants and bars in Parliament, this is not something organised by the current government. It is a historic thing that has not been stopped by any Labour governments, so is hardly something to blame the Conservatives for.


Moreover, there are significant numbers of employers who provide subsidised canteens for their staff, although this number is probably reducing. As an example, I have eaten in hospital restaurants where staff (quite reasonably) pay reduced prices compared to visitors.


Do I think that the subsidies in the House of Commons restaurants should be abolished? Yes, but it isn't really the most significant priority. In reality, the subsidy is merely the saving caused by not having to incorporate the costs associated with staff, rents, rates and the generation of profit.


Furthermore, the £5.8m figure is absolutely untrue. In 2017, the figure was £2.7m; still a lot of money, but less than half the figure used in the lying meme. A pint of Carling is subsidised to the point that it will cost an MP £3.25. In my old local, the Anton Arms, you can buy a burger and fries for £4.79 and add a pint of Carlsberg for £1. Or, you can buy that same pint (without the 'meal deal') for £2.39.


The more you look at this sort of meme, the more ridiculous it appears that people believe them and share them.


As with most memes, it seems, the truth is not considered important.

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