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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that too many people rely on Tax Credits?

268 replies

workhardplayhard · 09/01/2011 20:48

Reading many of the threads on Mumsnet it seems that a large proportion of contributors rely on Tax Credits to top up their incomes.

I don't know anyone who claims Tax Credits IRL but if I did I don't think it would change my opinion - I think people should be fully responsible for providing for their own offspring without any benefits.

I have stated on a previous thread that I DO believe that people should get some assistance if their circumstances change ( Redundancy/Ill Health) but only for a set period.

I don't think the government should pay for people to have multiple children that they can ill afford to provide for.

I would be interested to hear other views.

OP posts:
gordyslovesheep · 09/01/2011 20:50

well yes as a couple we got nadda but when my husband walked out I could have gone on benefits

but I stayed working - with childcare bills for 3 kids to pay - now without TX I wouldn;t be able to work

would you prefer me to be a single mum on benefits or a working tax payer?

Particles · 09/01/2011 20:51

Average household income can no longer support an average lifestyle in this country. We don't claim but I know many, many people who could not pay their basic bills (food, mortgage, childcare) based on their wages alone. Wrong, isn't it?

CarGirl · 09/01/2011 20:52

Sort out the housing and fuel costs and people won't need tax credits anymore.

usualsuspect · 09/01/2011 20:53

If you read the other 99999999 threads about the nasty poor people on here you will find all the views you need

HaveAHappyNewJung · 09/01/2011 20:54

Okay, so DH working 50hr weeks for

flippinggorgeous · 09/01/2011 20:55

We don't get any tax credits but I don't begrudge other people receiving them. They are designed to help lower earning families who work but may not earn enough to cover childcare costs etc. OP, I bet you do know people who receive them- they just probably don't divulge every financial detail to their friends.

Particles · 09/01/2011 20:55

Btw, meant it's wrong that two adults working full time should have to claim for support just to get by iyswim not that it is wrong that they are claiming.

bupcakesandcunting · 09/01/2011 20:56

I rely on them. To buy things that I need. I don't spend it on wine and truffles like DC seems to think.

oggybags · 09/01/2011 20:56

work hard play hard - I agree with you - we are going to struggle big time whilst I'm on mat leav, and will not be entitled to anything, our joint income is healthy, but as I am the main breadwinner income is vastly reduced when I'm off, but we knew that when we decided to have kids, and that is our choice.
Being a SAHM is unfortunately out of the question for m e - yet me sister in law and husband seem to think we're materialistic in our lifestyle(we're definately not & the only thing I can think they call metarialistic is our annual week in france staying at friends parents) despite them having every computer console /games going,endless tatoos, nice clothes - & her being a SAHM - all funded by over £1k a month in tax credits & CB... I just find it all a bit hard to stomache as I refuse to get drawn into the family politics of essentially paying for her to be at home when I cant afford to be. that was longer than intended sorry!

Meglet · 09/01/2011 20:56

I wouldn't eat without tax credits.

Mind you, I could then have a career as a Size 0 model.

notremotelyintofootie · 09/01/2011 20:57

Housing costs and general living expenses have risen disproportionately to that of average wages... If it was not for tax credits many of us would be at risk of homelessness or going onto benefits just to live... I would love the luxury of not needing tax credits but while there is such a gap I cannot enjoy that luxury...

expatinscotland · 09/01/2011 20:57

'I would be interested to hear other views.'

No, you wouldn't.

People who write such narrow-minded OPs never do.

BringOnTheGoat · 09/01/2011 20:58

I am about to apply for tax cr. I have always paid in and never claimed a thing.

H walked out on us just before xmas and I am now responsible for everything - while he pays a couple of hundred quid in maintainence. I now need to work longer hours to support myself and DD, I will now have to pay for the necessary and expensive childcare.

I can only talk about my own circumstances but in relation to me you are talking shit.

Imarriedafrog · 09/01/2011 20:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

usualsuspect · 09/01/2011 20:59

9 posts in and theres the games console and tattoo reference

Bingo

LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse · 09/01/2011 20:59

I just put in my first ever claim and am wondering how on earth I managed to get by without that extra £39 a YEAR. It cost more in time and train fares and phone calls than the actual award was worth.

btbetty · 09/01/2011 21:00

oggybags - you have my sympathy.

£1k a month in tax credits - the world has gone mad!

gordyslovesheep · 09/01/2011 21:00

pmsl - oh yes Usualsuspects :)

pointythings · 09/01/2011 21:01

I don't begrudge anyone tax credits either. DH and I have been eligible before (aren't now) but never claimed because of horror stories from friends and colleagues who had been overpaid and had to pay the money back, like, yesterday... So we tightened belts and didn't bother.

Now we're doing fairly well and I dont' begrudge some of my earnings going to people who may well be in low paid work, working hard and raising a family. Who says that only the rich should have children, and where do you set the threshold? And who's going to do the low paid jobs knowing that there is no safety net for them - either you pay the shelf stackers, cleaners, porters, care workers etc. a wage they can raise a family on, or you help them some other way - but we should show some appreciation for the hard work they do.

charliesmommy · 09/01/2011 21:01

the problem is that people in the last twenty years or so, live well beyond their means..

there are very few people left who live by the mantra "if I cant afford it, I cant have it".. and what would, and still should be luxury items, are now deemed as necessities.

Nobody ever suffered because they didnt go on holiday or have every gadget going, nor did many families have 2 cars...

Doobydoo · 09/01/2011 21:02

If people are paid a living wage what are they supposed to do OP?

borderslass · 09/01/2011 21:02

How do you know that no-one you know in RL claims TC's? maybe they do but just don't tell anyone is case there judged like you seem to be doing.

Serendippy · 09/01/2011 21:02

I was going to come on here and say YANBU, there are always people who will take advantage of the system in place to help those genuinely in need. But then I discovered you are braketing people genuinely in need with the scroungers. So YABU.

Doobydoo · 09/01/2011 21:03

Meant aren't!!Don't usually get drawn into these threads...pointless

expatinscotland · 09/01/2011 21:03

so true, usual. and here we go again. it's all because of holidays, luxury items and gadgets.

nowt to do with house prices and cost of living outstripping average wages by a country mile and now, rising inflation and food costs.

yawn.

i thought groundhog day was in february.