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Some of both it would appear. To cite one example. A lady misses a JCP appointment as her daughter had been rushed into hospital. She phone JCP to inform them but they stopped all her benefits for missing her appointment (Government policy). It took 10 weeks, letters from her GP and finally her local (tory) MP to become involved before they were restored (inefficiency). In that time the foodbank became vital and her debt spiralled. Thankfully the daughter was discharged a few days later and the lady in question now works nights at Tesco's.

If you read the cross party report you'd see that a major part of the problem is that people can't access benefits or have to wait up to 16 weeks for them to come through. As for considering a mobile as a luxury they are often cheaper to have than landlines and if you don't have a number then JCP can stop your benefits on the grounds that you aren't contactable for offers of work.

My experience in the Black County and The Potteries is that it hits what I guess we'd label as "underclass" or at least the lowest rungs of the working class ladder. It was very evident that many lacked a basic education and often didn't have the literacy skills to access benefits. Going for handouts of own label pasta and beans isn't a result of choices. Perhaps you need to look beyond the Daily Mail headlines.

Considering the report published today was a cross party paper I think you'll find all the relevant figures contained within if you can be bothered to read it.

One of the biggest mistakes of the last 30 odd years.

I watched people queuing for beans, bread, pasta, milk etc every Tuesday for a couple of years. Each one looked just about as low as you could go. Before I saw it with my own eyes I would have struggled to believe it was possible in modern day Britain.

Isn't there a conflict here that they wish to "professionalise" the sector but that in turn dictates higher wages.

I came across foodbanks for the 1st time a couple of years ago when working in the Black Country. The people using them were genuinely desperate. I could feel the shame and embarrassment of some of the young women getting basic staples to feed their kids.

Or Normandy, which is also excellent.

If Utd want him then he'll go. It'll be about how much we can get for him.

Just banged out a day/night 130km ride so giving me Sunday free! Roads were unbelievably quiet but the lanes were filthy. Going to take me ages to clean her tomorrow.

Morgan will be gone in the summer, he'll not be sold in January.

People on mobiles (non hands free) whilst driving. It makes you a cuunt. I struggle to understand the mindset of people who attempt to text whilst driving. Utter mongs.

Only Charlie would have thought of it. He showed all summer that he was at the cutting edge of progressive football thinking. Honest, he did.

A cold puddle of dog puke was better than Ghosts.

It's better to have to much on and be able to take something off than be cold and have nothing to put on. If I've got my Altura waterproof on I'll only wear a baselayer as I get really warm in it but the key is as to whether it's SS, LS standard or LS heavy weight but I'll have one of the others tucked into a pocket just in case. A packable jacket is great to take with you as long descents are bitterly cold at the moment and if your sweaty from the climb then you'll be miserable on the way down. I'm on the hunt for some new overshoes and I'm also in the process of buying all new summer gear after flogging off all mine, at a profit I may add. Vermarc Tinto and Sportful for me next summer.

I ride all winter (just been out) and all you really need is good tights, merino wool socks, overshoes as your feet will get really cold, a decent base layer, tonight I had a winter weight Adidas golf one one, a good jacket, mine is a Pearl Izumi Elite, good windproof gloves and a buff to stop the wind getting down your jacket. Head wear is personal, if it's really cold I'll wear a cap under the helmet. I wear Campagnolo tights but the DHB ones on Wiggle are very highly regarded. Just make sure you get the fleece lined ones. I probably could have gone with a standard baselayer tonight as I was doing hill climbing and was dripping sweat. For daytime rides I'm (mainly) still in bibknickers, jersey with S/S base layer, arm warmers and gilet unless it's wet or really cold, with a packable jacket for any long descents if we've been up in the Peak District.

I'm with Clunge and about 75% of my students who have also flogged theirs. It's shockingly shiite online.

Prepare to be bitterly disappointed although the graphics on the lads XboX One are pretty damn fine. Online gameplay is crap. Maps are so small and pokey, designed for 12yos with short attention spans. Personally, if they re-wrote MW1, MW2 or MW3 for the PS4 I think I'd die a happy man and never buy another game!

I only use trains for short commutes, trips down to London and away days so my observations are limited but I've reached the following conclusions. A) Get a railcard. B) Book well in advance. C) Anything off mainline(s) is expensive. D) The policy regarding bikes on trains makes no 'kin sense at all. E) London Midland, whilst slow, are excellent. F) Pay of the day fares make it cheaper to take the car.

Bought myself a CREE light so I can hit the lanes and Cannock Chase at night; Jesus, it's bright, lights up everything and battery life is good. Means that the hill training and base miles can be decent in the week and Sundays can still be a good length spin (weather permitting).

It's utterly Shiite. Played less than 10hrs online before flogging it. I'm back to playing MW3 online.

Away somewhere I've not been before.

Made a few people look bigger cuunts than usual tonight.

Harsh result that.