Yay! Looks like Child Benefits are next on Dave's hitlist...

[cupcakesandbunting]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11009535

Speculation, my bum. We all know what's coming, Dave.

I wouldnt mind so much if they took into account the areas we all live in. We all know that it is much more expensive to live down south, and things like that should be taken into consideration.

but even disposable income is such a variable thing - 2 families on 45k living in the same area could end up with totally different dispoable income once bills and housing costs are paid for depending on level of previous debt and priorities in their own spending.

after 3 years the cb we have saved is paying pay for first year of school for ds. it is stupid not to means test it.

Agree with expat.

means testing for winter fuel allowance should come in, and the free bus passes should be reviewed. Yes pensioners have paid into the pot but christ they retired at 60/65 - by the time I get to that age there will be NO retirement age and most people will be working until they kark it, not jollying around the countryside on free buses.

Also think that it is long overdue that child benefit is means tested tbh.

Something needs to be done. I don't know why we're getting any benefits - it's a small amount that honestly makes no difference to our income (DH is a high earner). And now we're having another child and they're going to give us even MORE money that we don't need. I would so much rather that cash went to someone who needs it.

How does £45k compare to the average family income in the UK?

Depends on where you live, I expect. It would go a lot further in some areas than others.

We are working class. We are flat-broke most months. I'm not claiming that we are destitute, but we certainly aren't rich.

Squitten, you don't have to claim it of course...

Exactly, GetOrf! I don't see why it's going to be expensive to means-test the bus/travel passes. They are issued by the council anyway. The same one that runs the leisure centres. Membership to those is means-tested, with people on certain benefits getting a concessionary rate. All they have to do is show proof they are in receipt of certain benefits.

So do the same thing with the travel/bus passes.

If people don't like that, that's just too fucking bad.

There are plenty of charities out there, too, for welfare help.

The boomers I've met are all fairly technologically savvy. Even my father born in 1934 can use a computer. So you can't tell me this will mean older people can't access benefits.

Well, hell, that's a barrier for anyone who's learning disabled, too. Why are they different from someone who's older (because I don't consider 62-year-olds 'old')?

My Mum is in her early 50s and can barely use a computer!

Lots of people do not claim their free passes do they? I know my grandparents have never had them

Claim them or don't. But means-test them (the free travel, that is).

At least link them to retirement age. Not retirement age, no more free pass unless you're on a qualifying benefit.

NOW.

don't claim them

how much is 45K after tax???

sounds like a lot to me......and now I know house prices are more expensive in the south..but seriously - so expensive that you can't live on 45k?????

Abolishing CB would be a huge mistake. Those on middle incomes are fed up of subsidising the massive benefit bill as it is. Having nothing in return for increased taxes would create a real feeling of resentment.

The baby boomer generation have definitely shafted future generations, they were brought up with the advent of the NHS, Council Housing, universal benefits, they have taken advantage of free higher education with grants, they have had several property booms.

But thankfully that generation of MPs are knocking on the door of retirement and won't have any say any more. It is down to our generation to make the decisions and shape the future.

about £2,500 before pension, maintenance and student loan reductions

I think we get just short of £34K after tax, Toccata.

I don't want to turn this into an "I am considerably poorer than yow" contest; I've already acknowledged that I know that compared to some that I've got it pretty easy. Doesn't mean that we won't miss that £80 per month.

I dont understant why people have such a problem with means testing. for example it is stupid for rich people to get winter fuel allowance when they go on 3 or 4 holidays a year.

I completely disagree with those posters above who've suggested CB should only be payable for the first 2 children. How exactly is that fairer than a means tested system? Furthermore, it would smack of social engineering, IMHO.

Agree re the winter fuel allowance. My PIL are very comfortable, they claim it then make a donation of the same amount to Age Concern.

cornflowers, if you need CB to have more than 2 children you should try contraception.

Unfortunately the previous Government made so many people reliant on benefits for political gain, he knew the country couldn't afford the bill but it meant that just about everybody who got anything would vote for him.

Well its back to reality, perhaps companies and employers should be pressured into paying decent living salaries rather than the government effectively subsidizing them by topping up earnings.

shdad, your point is meaningless. You could just as easily extrapolate that argument to a more general one, namely "If you need CB to have a child you should try contraception". Are you questioning the point of CB per se?

Yes alouise, and pigs might fly. Who exactly is going to be doing this pressurising? Unions (oh yes the Tories have already stamped all over them haven't they)? The government? Uh-huh.

Well its back to reality, perhaps companies and employers should be pressured into paying decent living salaries rather than the government effectively subsidizing them by topping up earnings.

I second that one. But the pressure needs to be on the big companies, not on the little independent traders.

Are you questioning the point of CB per se?

yes