Cap on child benefit

[rkahic]

The Archbishop of Canterbury has called for the current cap on child benefit only being paid for the first two children to end, wondered what people think of it, is it a sensible measure or do people really need the money

There isn't a cap on Child Benefit though.
(other benefits there is)

Possibly worded that badly, he’s calling for the limit on the benefit to only be paid for the first two children to be scrapped.

@rkahic but that's the point - Child Benefit doesn't have a two children cap.
If you are entitled to Child Benefit you get it for ALL your children.

I think you mean universal credit, not child benefit

Child benefit has never been part of the 2 child cap it's other benefits that are part of the cap.
I get child benefit for all 4 of my children. 2 of them was born after the cap was brought in.

@Almostwelsh I think it was the Archbishop was the one who meant UC but said the wrong thing.
I read about him saying it and my first thought was "well he doesn't know what he's talking about".

I stand corrected, though it appears Justin Welby doesn’t know the rules either and I was simply repeating what he had said

My DD has 3 DC and receives Child Benefit for all 3 . I think you are getting mixed up with UC .

And yes, people probably do need the money, as unlike child benefit, universal credit kicks in when you are in need of help as assessed by things like your rent payments and childcare payments as well as your salary. A couple on just under 50k each can get child benefit, but they wouldn't get universal credit.

@rkahic that's wrong.
From the government website.....

I realised and have already said I stand corrected

I don't think the archbishop has got it wrong exactly. He has called for an end to the 2 child limit benefits cap. This means universal credit which is a benefit. Because child benefit also has benefit in its name and universal credit does not it's a bit confusing.

@rkahic apologies 🙂
I think we crossed posts so I didn't see your correction.
Yes it's the Archbishop who doesn't know what he's talking about.

I think that child benefit should be paid at the same rate for every child and they need to scrap the ridiculous rule that stops higher earners getting it.

The 2 child cap on UC is fine and should stay. Providing for two children is plenty to ensure that everyone can have a family. If you’re already on benefits for two children, you can’t afford a third, so just don’t have one. Free contraception is available and adults can reasonably be expected to be responsible for their own family planning and finances.

Regardless of which benefit he means, I don't agree with him. Two children is reasonable; if you can't afford more without state help, don't have more.

I understand they exempt situations like multiple births where this might be unavoidable, so it is a case of choosing to live within your means, as we all have to do whether the 'extra' things you hanker after and can't afford are children, Ferraris, diamond rings or designer handbags.

I think the cap on benefits is appropriate. Most people have to cut their cloth accordingly. People should be better at family planning in my opinion, if they are going be reliant on UC to fund their children.

I agree with those that say 2 children is reasonable(only wanted 2 myself, regardless of income). However should a child suffer because of their parents irresponsible actions. It's a difficult one

I think child benefit should be scrapped in favour of free/subsidised childcare.

For the people agreeing with the 2 child cap - what happens when a family's circumstances change through no fault of their own?
Should children numbers 3, 4 and beyond be whisked off to a workhouse until their parents can afford them again 🙄

@kitsuneghost I've never needed childcare though so that would be pointless to me.

What we need in this country to take away a lot of the reliance on benefits is -
Proper long term and secure leases in council homes that have sensible rent.
More public transport so people are less reliant on having to own a car.
Proper decent wages.

It is possible to have lots of children when you can afford them, then the father walks out on you. Even if he pays maintenance the child maintenance rate is the same for 3 children as for 6 or more. Possibly this maintenance cap is something that needs looking at.

If people could access free childcare and got paid a living wage, we wouldn’t even have to have this conversation.

Although child benefit is paid for all children it is part of the benefit cap, a single parent who does not work and lives in London is benefit capped at £2,110.25 a month, that includes all benefits including child benefit.

I think the 2 child cap for UC is reasonable. People who had 3 children before the cap came in are not affected, so if you had 3 or more you knew full well that you would not receive extra. I think the 50k cap for child benefit is unreasonable as it penalises lone earners and should be increased to 70k (average salary of a couple).

@Needmorelego I would expect adults to take responsibility for 3 or more children e.g marry partner, take out life/ill health insurance, have additional savings to cover change in circumstances for at least 6 months.

I also think that we live in an age where women should be realistic and ensure that they are able to cope with the amount of children they have by themselves. It is too easy for partners to walk away and provide inadequate support both emotional and financial. The child maintenance agency has issues, so can not be relied upon. I wish it was different but we do not live in an utopian society.