Like many single people in the UK I am on benefit and after paying essential bills such as rent, TV Licence, gas, electric, TV & broadband package, mobile phone, and others I am left with very little to spend on decent food. Rice and pasta are cheap enough as are veggies from the local market even though it costs £1:20 return on the bus. As a 57 year old with both hips replaced ands arthritis in my right knee, to walk to the market is not an option available to me.

The cost of fish and meat is horrendous and considering my budget for household items including such things as tea, coffee, milk, sugar bread etc is about £40:00 per month. Not a lot to feed me on ! ! ! !.

My comment is, my mother and my gran ( Mums mum) both taught me to cook and yes - I can make great bread, pastry and cakes but I still have to buy ingredients. I am fed up with mince meat - cottage pie, spag bol, lasagne etc stewing steak that takes hours in the oven - frying steak you can sole your shoes with. Anyone got any ideas for living worse than a student does. UKTVFood take note - try some recipes on the popular shows for the poor amongst us.! ! ! ! !