Fed up of my cousins comments about benefits and UC

Yeah, sorry, I meant that people have said that NMW jobs are for school leavers only... and that adults in them should be shamed.

I agree though... NMW should be the same no matter your age.

You’re doing a fine job juggling brining up kids alone and working. I bet you’re shattered. I’ve been where you are twenty years ago. Two disabled kids under 10 and their dad up and leaves. No income from him for years. I worked was on top up benefits and it was second hand clothes, shoes and birthday presents for years. Each year they got one main Christmas present under £50. I know many kids who got far more. Now they are grown, still dependant on me but I am now a 40% tax payer. So I give back to those who need it. To all the misery guts on this thread, I hope you n red er end up in similar circumstances. It can happen to anyone.

Jobs with flexible hours are hard to come by.

Well, it isn’t fair. The state should not be subsidizing shit dads who disappear. Sounds like you’re doing your bit, but both dads should be made to pay half of their offsprings’ costs until they’re 21. Simple. Do it through tax/NI, make it enforceable internationally and there you go - massive welfare bill saving. I never understand why people vilify single mums. It’s the errant sperm donors who should be named, shamed and ostracized.

Yes but people on nmw also pay tax

Yes I was referring to the post about commenters being wankers.

If the minimum wage actually covered costs there'd be no need for top ups

@XenoBitch School leavers don't even get the full minimum wage.
You don't get that until you're 21.
It annoys me that someone age 20 and someone aged 21 could start the same job on the same day with the same level of experience - but one gets paid more.

I have a child who is 5 and work full time. Breakfast and after-school club, flexible hours make it work. What's your point?

So true.

Our society does not value low paid jobs, we consider them to be bottom of the heap. DC is waiting for GCSE results and so many people have said to them that they need to work hard "or you'll end up working in a shop/on a bin wagon/as a cleaner". It implies there is no dignity in those jobs and it's the paradox at the heart of our society, the jobs that are most vital are least respected. Even the term 'unskilled' that is frequently applied to these roles totally disregards the expertise, judgement, and effort required in what can often be complex tasks. There's a huge disparity present in these job roles too in terms gender, class, and race which further reduces their value and respectability as many of these workers are statistically more likely to be female, working class, or from an ethnic minority (or a combination of all three).

Not everyone wants to be a CEO or has the academic skills to be a doctor, we can't have a nation comprised entirely of high-fliers because it would quickly grind to a halt without the people doing the work at the bottom. There is nothing inherently wrong about being "just" a shop assistant or "only" a carer.

We should be privileging contribution rather than prestige.

Except OP's cousin is not paying as she des not earn enough herself.

Also tell them they won’t be entitled to a state pension until they’re in the 70s if at all where as you will, best way to wind up tax payers.

The entitlement and hand-wringing acceptance that minimum wage jobs should need to be topped up with benefit subsidies at all is astounding

it's not our fault, and if she's upset, her anger should be directed at the government, not at those who are rightfully claiming.

Not even directed at the government.

Parents should be made to be more accountable for their own children. Don't have them and then walk away from the financial responsibility for them.

My ex paid very little for his DC’s once he moved on with his OW. The tax payer paid child care so that I could work. Why? He earned what he had always earned and more…it infuriated me that the tax payer was landed with part responsibility for his children.

And then there will be no welfare state so all those people complaining about subsidising the poor had better never become ill.

Also,the benefits system isn't out of control....it has never been more difficult to get benefits since the welfare state was created.

No, not always. But quite often they do.

I know. The fucking ignorance on this thread is astounding

Exactly.

Though, can you look into apply for child maint?
I haven't read the whole thread so this may have been answered. Your ex shouldn't be allowed to abandon his financial responsibilities.

Also, I agree with a previous commenter, show visibly how boring she really is.

Yawn, even the people who feel they are carrying the burden really aren't, most people are struggling.

And while you're all squabbling, all the country's money and assets are being transferred to the super rich without you noticing.

I have seen people on here say that NMW should be school leavers only.

If she pays £400 in tax & NI, she probably earns about £30k, and has a take-home of £2000. I can see why she feels dispirited as it is an absolute grind working full-time.

For comparison - what is your take-home (with the UC top up included)? Comparing side by side might help to bring empathy to the situation - either you towards her, or vice-versa.

Exactly, you've got a partner. OP is a single parent so she can't just work full time as easily as you

All of the people expressing their displeasure at UC firstly need to walk a mile in others shoes and also direct their energy towards engaging with politicians to effect social change. Learn how the system works. Attend public meetings. Respond to public consultations. Write to your M.P. or go to their surgery. Create or contribute to petitions and campaigns. Be proactive. Vote. It is thought that if everyone voted in the U.K. then politicians would be more accountable and issues like social / welfare etc. would receive more attention.

This. A million times this!

It’s pretty obvious it’s the people who pay for it who get annoyed.