Reactions as wealthy Tory MP says nurses using foodbanks can’t budget properly

“If you’re using a foodbank and you're earning the average nurses salary of £35,000 a year, then something is wrong with your budgeting”

🗣️ @SimonClarkeMP told @greenyfrom6am his thoughts on the #NursesStrike:

— BBC Tees (@BBCTees) January 18, 2023

Thank you Lee. My point exactly.

You can have huge respect for people working in our public services and also be clear that if you are earning £35,000, unless there are very particular circumstances, you shouldn’t need to use a foodbank. https://t.co/QnQgFa5HXW

— Simon Clarke MP (@SimonClarkeMP) January 19, 2023

Tory MP Simon Clarke, who earns £84,000 a year, says skint nurses using food banks need to budget better.
He's got some front as he's claimed £200,700 expenses in just ONE year.
He even claimed £7.65 to send a document to a constituent by recorded post 🤔https://t.co/b6FjiYpBt3

— Lorraine King (@lorrainemking) January 19, 2023

Simon Clarke takes the art of dismissive condescension to new depths.

It's beyond insulting that, as a recent Cabinet Minister making around £151k, he's telling nurses starting at £27k their problem is that they're not budgeting properly.

He's totally detached from their lives. https://t.co/d3QYDvrTcK

— Andy McDonald MP (@AndyMcDonaldMP) January 18, 2023

If you're earning a basic MP salary of £84,000 a year and still claiming for your energy bills then something is wrong with your morals https://t.co/EbvjENLQuV

— Steve Jackson 💙 (@SteJck) January 18, 2023

Simon Clarke on @BBCTees earlier “if you’re a nurse and using a foodbank, there’s something wrong with your personal budgeting”.

Absolutely reprehensible comment from a careerist politician who has seen his salary increase by over 15k since 2015.

— Average Human Teessider (@utb_smith) January 18, 2023

So Simon Clarke MP is latest to need a bit of a roasting stating if nurses on £35k are using foodbanks there must be something wrong with their budgeting

Lets embarrass the privileged ex Minister and send this viral#ToriesOut196 #SunakOut85 #NHSStrikes https://t.co/1OJcHkSHOc

— dave lawrence 🐟🐟🐠 (@dave43law) January 18, 2023

Why do MPs like Simon Clarke & Lee Anderson feel they even have the right to comment on people using food banks? If we all claimed expenses, yr on yr pay rises, food & drink subsidies etc, NONE of us would need food banks. Stop patronising people, you CLEARLY wouldn’t understand.

— Claire #EnoughIsEnough 💙 (@clairebubblepop) January 19, 2023

Arrogant pampered MP – RESIGN
You try
– renting in London area
– paying for energy costs
– council tax
– paying £100 plus per week to park at work
– pay off £40k training loan
– childcare
On 35k living alone
Instead 84k, cheap food and drink, expenses

— dave lawrence 🐟🐟🐠 (@dave43law) January 19, 2023

"If anyone needs to budget better it's the government"

Sophie Baker joins the #NursesStrike picket line and explains how nurses have to pick up extra shifts just to make ends meet #FairPayforNursing

Follow our live blog for more 👇 https://t.co/FLf3AipJLv pic.twitter.com/etmqRFXlov

— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) January 18, 2023