Poll suggests people back teachers getting Blue Light discount – but our comments section definitely doesn’t
On Friday we reported on teachers being given access to the Blue Light discount scheme – which appeared to elicit a backlash on social media…
We had scores of reader comments – all but one onside with the backlash (see below).
This morning, we asked our followers on LinkedIn for their view. The poll is still active, but the results so far suggest a level of support for teachers…
The discrepancy between the way people are voting on LinkedIn and the comments here in the Money blog could be interpreted in several ways. Sky News could be followed by different demographics on the two platforms, or perhaps it is that those who feel most angry at something are far more likely to leave a comment.
Whatever the explanation, here’s a selection of comments that sum up the general feeling in our inbox…
If you change it to key workers then you would have to open it to shop workers, waste disposal workers, plumbers and electricians.
Dave
Blue light is in the name. Shift workers who work long unsociable hours in a responsive role. Pure greed by the administrators of the scheme.
Shawhome
How long have teachers been an emergency service? I don’t remember them being on the front line during COVID. I haven’t seen them during the riots.
Swiftrider
Teaching is NOT an emergency service. I’m a carer to a child and get paid peanuts, no Blue Light card for me.
Joseph Morgan
As a gas emergency engineer who is safeguarding life and property who has an hour from the reported time to get to the gas escape… we get there quicker than the ambulance service and occasionally police but we can’t get a Blue Light card. Just wondering why?
Senseirick
Teachers do a good job, but to actually class them as blue light is shameful. When was the last time a teacher went home and wept after loosing a patient or had to stand in a line behind a shield getting bricked by a mob? Or being shot at in a foreign land?
Ianstu
Farmers feed the nation, when will they be entitled to a Blue Light Card?
Greatauntbleach
An emergency service is available 24 hours a day. 365 days per year. Teachers are not. They are valuable in society, absolutely, but they are not an emergency service with a blue light.
Joanna Clark
Wow. 30 years as a prison officer, working very unsociable hours, getting abused, assaulted. Nowhere near the amount of time off that teachers get. Police, NHS, armed services deserve this, not teachers.
Noslop17
We did have one correspondent backing teachers – and of course our inbox is still open if you want to share your view…
Good to see teachers getting the Blue Light card as an essential service for children’s future – and also what about teaching assistants, lunch supervision and school club staff. If schools shut, the whole country is affected, especially parents not working, during strikes or bad weather.
Southwest lady
Blue Light hits back
Blue Light Card hit back on Friday, saying: “Teachers are not just educators; they are mentors, guides and inspirations that are helping shape the future for our children. They are fully deserving members of our blue light community.”
What kind of offers can a Blue Light card get you?
There’s too many to list but among the offers is 12% off at Fenty Beauty and 15% off at Bose.
Users can also get a £30 gift card if they spend more than £1,000 at British Airways or a £110 voucher if they sell their car via Carwow.
Or if getting fit is more your thing, you can get 50% off an annual subscription to the Body Coach.