Living alone is tough financially

Because you are taxed per person.

Are you really suggesting that single people should be rewarded by being given preferential tax breaks not available to people in relationships?

We can't have everything in life

I am with you OP.

It is tough to have only one wage coming in and single parents especially have all my admiration for managing to keep going.

Also we don't want women to be trapped in abusive relationships because they can't afford to leave.

Council tax especially should have a 50% discount for single households.

Renting a room in a shared house can be fraught with problems. Some shares are great, some are grim.

On the subject of getting a job as the SAHP - nobody says they have to work full time. I worked 21 hours a week when DS was in nursery and needed commuting time either side. 22 were covered by the "Free" Hours Childcare system and we got 20% Tax Free Childcare contribution on the other 4 hours a week.

I’m not sure what that has to do with the topic though!

And how many mums left work to look after kids and are now fucked financially as their DH didn’t pull his weight and they haven’t earnt a full stamp and have not reached their full earning potential. Don’t have a good financial safety net. See it on here all time they’re approaching divorce and feel it’s so unfair DH has good job good pension and they have… nothing because childcare was expensive

Childcare isn’t forever (I am well versed in this as I have two children who aren’t school age!) either.

Obviously (and rightly) you'll pay more tax if you earn £50k than someone only earning £25k, regardless of relationship status.

I don’t think it’s obvious and right at all, and the tax system penalises single earner households (not just single people). How is it fair, for instance, that a two person household with a single income of £50k has less net income than a two person household where each person earns £25k? UC is worked out on household income, so it does seem unfair tax is individual. But that is a different issue!

That isn’t what people are saying, which I do think you know.

If I was to say ‘I earn £25,000 per year’ then I think most people would agree that I’d struggle in the current climate.

If I said ‘I earn £50,000 per year’ then most people would agree that’s a good salary and I shouldn’t struggle.

But out of that £50,000 I’d have to pay for

rent / mortgage
electricity
internet
insurance
council tax with a 25% discount (not 50)

And other expenses aren’t a 50/50 split. Food, as we’ve established, entertainment and the like.

So while two people on £25,000 each aren’t considered to be on a good salary, one person on £50,000 is, but actually have much higher costs.

But if they’re in a couple and the other person loses their job, there are two people who can potentially look for work, doubling their chances of at least one of them getting a job quickly (and then of course whoever doesn’t have the job could do the childcare). Or if the children are school age then the SAHP could look for a job around that to bring in a bit extra. Or the SAHP could do something like childminding, so no childcare issues.

Of course nobody should have to stay in an abusive relationship, but realistically what do you do if you’re on your own, have no family support, a job that doesn’t pay much - if you have a job? Renting a one bedroom flat in an average part of my northern city costs £900, a huge chunk of your take home pay even if you earn the UK median salary of £34K.

But you can't plan life, people become disabled, partners die, people lose jobs . People's circumstances are complicated

Well no one should have to stay in a DV relationship, I left a very abusive relationship 11yrs ago. However, the benefits system is meant to help people when they need it, you're not supposed to get your child to 18/19yrs, then realise that they stop and your down £800. When I was on tex credits, every time I took a payrise they went down and as my children got older they also went down. It couldn’t have been clearer to me that this was not a long term solution.

A person in a relationship earning £25k is taxed exactly the same as a single person earning £25k.

A person in a relationship earning £50k is taxed exactly the same as a single person £50k.

Obviously (and rightly) you'll pay more tax if you earn £50k than someone only earning £25k, regardless of relationship status.

There's no specific tax rates depending on your relationship status!

I don't need a plan as I'm luckily or unluckily am disabled so am quite protected and have that safety net. I also have a partner. Also by the time my kids are grown I will hopefully have paid of the mortgage. I know im in a fortunate situation but I can understand a lot aren't through no choice of their own and people shouldn't be punished for escaping domestic abuse, becoming a widow or just not finding a good healthy relationship. Nobody should have to stay in a relationship for financial reasons and nobody should get pregnant for financial reasons

But if their childcare costs more than their wage, it's pointless, and they are no better off.

That is not even close to what I meant and iv been sticking up for single people through out this whole thread as I have lots of single friends and I know how hard life is for them and I also know how much money I would lose if I didn't have my kids.

Surely though you know the day is coming when you won’t get benefits anymore when they finish school? What if you plan?

My daughter leaves school this year at 18yrs and I will see a drop in child benefit, child maintenance and an increase in council tax. However, I came off benefits years ago and earn enough now to support myself and two children without them. Thankfully I’ll only see a drop in about £300 which is what her driving lessons are costing at the moment.

So single people shouldn't be listened to then. Only those who have lived both are worthy of being listened to. Just wow

If you are affluent, living alone is a lovely luxury as you don’t have anyone to share your space or potentially jeopardise your financial security. Especially if you are someone who likes their own company.

If you are at all hard-up, it’s really tough with no financial buffer. I agree that some people stay in less-than-desirable relationship situations for financial reasons which is really sad

@mrsm43s of course they can get a job. Lone parents do. My ex left and I went back to work when my dc was only a few months old. And I had no help with childcare.

Exactly this. Just the recognition alone would be great bit this thread shows there is not one ounce of empathy at all.

It's not a luxury!!!! You choose to get into a relationship with someone. Noone hold a gun to your head and made you. And for the majority its then a choice to have children. Often more than 1 and then they complain it's unaffordable.

Yes, this. I don’t think people realise that in most of Europe, living alone is not as expensive as it is here, and most single people live alone easily, even in their 20s when they’re not earning that much. House shares are really only for students.

The fact that in this country some people in their 30s/40s/50s need to house share is a travesty imo. Everyone should be able to afford at least a basic one bed flat/studio on their own.