You get what you deserve

[Heisenberg]

I was suggesting the huge increase in food bank demand is merely reflective of the number of outlets dispensing grub.

In 1946 the government of the day introduced Family Allowance (the forerunner to Child Benefit). Suddenly a vast number of parents who had two or more dependent children qualified for a weekly payment to supplement their income, and of course the majority piled in for it despite being able to get by in previous years without it. Another example is Winter Fuel Payment. That didn't exist until 1997... then 12 million (mostly oldies) rushed to get their mitts in the cookie jar. Like I said, freebies have always been incredibly popular.

I don't know how to express how completely far off you are from reality by comparing Winter Fuel Allowance to foodbank usage. It would be funny if it wasn't so depressing.