Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Politics
Original poster

What can the Conservatives do for me?

37 replies

onadietcokebreak · 12/03/2010 17:17

Im a single parent who is currently claiming Income Support. Previously I worked part time and brought home £800 a month plus WTC/CTC/HB and CHB. Money was tight but we got by.

What would a conservative impact have on my life?

What are their views on students parents.

How could they help me if my BF moves in? Would they get rid of the tax credits system?

What about healthcare?

Everything I hear is "less state intervention"...will it be all cuts cuts cuts? So why are people so keen on conservatives? Im confused!

Really dont know which way to vote. Labour are dead in this area so it is conservative and lib dems.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
boiledeggandsoldiers · 17/03/2010 01:02

My point is that everyone benefits when UK businesses are thriving, either directly through employment, or indirectly through the tax revenues they generate, that can then be spent on the NHS, etc.

It is only one issue amongst a number that could affect the way people vote, but because of my circumstances it's a big one for me.

buddum · 16/03/2010 17:04

I think previous posters are right - tight spending is inevitable in the next few years and you have to vote for a party who will put the little money that is around into the stuff you care about.

scaryteacher · 16/03/2010 15:40

The problem with Cornish schools is that they are underfunded, and receive less per pupil than those in urban Labour areas.

I taught in a comp in Cornwall, as well as 3 schools in Plymouth, and they all needed more resources.

Original poster
onadietcokebreak · 15/03/2010 20:21

Thanks Vesela....if only Lib Dem would get in eh?

OP posts:
vesela · 15/03/2010 20:10

sorry, that doesn't refer to student parents - not sure what LD policy is on that.

vesela · 15/03/2010 20:04

and Lib Dem policy is to ensure small business isn't overburdened AND cut taxes for people on low incomes (no tax on income under £10,000 a year). It's not as if we have to choose between those two things - they go together pretty well.

Original poster
onadietcokebreak · 15/03/2010 15:56

Thanks for your input boliedeggandsoliders. It appears not one single political party solutions and I suppose you have yo vote for which ever you think benefits your own circumstances the most.

OP posts:
boiledeggandsoldiers · 14/03/2010 12:50

Maybe I can help answer the question in your original post, from a business owner perspective. I think that the Conservatives will deliver a stronger economy and support businesses better, which in the medium to long term, will maintain the quality of life we have become used to and will mean that you and your children will be able to find a decent job when you need one.

Whilst labour have been in power, they have made it much harder to operate a small business. They have introduced endless red tape and stealth taxes. My business, like a lot of others, can be run from any country with decent infrastructure, so if Labour gets back into power you will probably see a flight of business abroad. If the conservatives get in, they will probably stay. My business is relatively small but large companies with thousands of employees have plans in place to move their company headquarters if Labour get in again, resulting in massive UK job losses and loss in tax revenue. There will then be less money in the pot to pay for public services, benefits etc, and there will be even fewer jobs if businesses are pushed to move out of the UK.

gaelicsheep · 13/03/2010 20:24

Onadietcokebreak - I think the point is that there are a lot of couples with children who are ineligible for the benefits you received, are ineligible for WTC and have a lot less than £800 a month left after paying the mortgage/rent and council tax. That's why the reaction to your OP was a little .

I read it and assumed that you received full HB tbh. It wasn't clear that you didn't.

Original poster
onadietcokebreak · 13/03/2010 18:16

"brought home" generally refers to your wage after taxes. Plus normally refers to addition...as in plus CTC/WTC etc.

Dont think it was unclear.

Now what can the conservatives do to help a single working parent?

Or a couple on a low income?

OP posts:
bibbitybobbityhat · 13/03/2010 18:13

Council tax, car loan (6 yr old Vauxhall Zafira), car insurance, house and contents insurance, life insurance x 2, private pension x 1, water, gas, electricity, tv, broadband, two mobile phones, ballet lessons, football lessons, spanish lessons, swimming lessons, holiday fund, income protection, mortgage protection, food, clothes, cat food, prescriptions (dh has a full time one), travel card, petrol. Soon goes. We don't really have enough money for a cleaner but thats the subject of another thread.

skihorse · 13/03/2010 18:10
Biscuit
skihorse · 13/03/2010 18:09

I doubt it... maybe you need a typing test?

As you said:
"Previously I worked part time and brought home £800 a month plus WTC/CTC/HB and CHB. "

Which was it? 800 quid total or 800 quid PLUS all those benefits?

Original poster
onadietcokebreak · 13/03/2010 18:07

Im a single parent who is currently claiming Income Support. Previously I worked part time and brought home £800 a month plus WTC/CTC/HB and CHB. Money was tight but we got by

Not clear......maybe you need an eyetest?!

And It wasnt me who started being rude...
Seriously... what planet are you people on?

OP posts:
Original poster
onadietcokebreak · 13/03/2010 18:05

Council tax £80 per month. Water £45. Gas and electric budget £70 per month (averaged) Car insurance, TV £12, Broad band/phone £30 (what a luxury!)Food £50

It soon goes................

OP posts:
skihorse · 13/03/2010 18:04

No need to be so rude - your first post was not clear.

Blimey - it's me who's out of touch then... what I'm calling "spending money" is actually what I'm using to pay bills/petrol/MOT/car insurance/clothes/holidays/treats/food etc.

3k a month bibbity Fuck me, do you eat diamonds?

Original poster
onadietcokebreak · 13/03/2010 18:02

Actually when I was earning £800 think it was £475 rent still to find.

OP posts:
Original poster
onadietcokebreak · 13/03/2010 17:59

Skihorse...read the OP. I had £800 wage when I was WORKING. Very Very small amount of housing benefit...had to still find approx £400. Still had unmet childcare costs. Had to meet petrol and parking charges which were ESSENTIAL for work.

If I had a grand spending money I would be laughing.....hilarious

OP posts:
sarah293 · 13/03/2010 17:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

bibbitybobbityhat · 13/03/2010 17:43

Family of 4 here. After we pay our mortgage we have about £3,000 a month to live on. Money is certainly tight here. We don't have enough to save, or for more than one fairly modest holiday per year (think two weeks Eurocamps in France sort of thing). I think you are overestimating how much £800/month actually is Skihorse.

skihorse · 13/03/2010 17:34

onacokebreak I'm genuinely curious as to how much money you actually "get through". I'm not sure if the housing benefit covered all of your rent - I don't know of course.

What I do think is absolutely incredible is that after all your housing/council tax bills were paid you had upwards of 800 a month (plus benefits) for food, clothes & treats.

I have less than that and I actually have a job! Makes me tbh that people are moaning about only having a grand a month spending money.

Original poster
onadietcokebreak · 13/03/2010 14:39

Yep Riven thats completely reminded me and quite upset me now. ( sometimes you block it all out)

My mum used to go without food so we could eat and she worked flaming long hour hours in catering. We used to go in with our colouring books or sit in the car for hours as there was no way she could afford childcare.

New Labour are often seen as an extention of the Torys but I do think there has been more real help given to address low income families problems.

Lib Dems vote for me though as otherwise conservative will win in this seat.

OP posts:
sarah293 · 13/03/2010 14:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
onadietcokebreak · 13/03/2010 14:24

Hi Riven...can you remind me please. I was a baby myself back then and all my adult life have had a labour government....

OP posts:
sarah293 · 13/03/2010 14:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Swipe left for the next trending thread