To be very scared at the details of the Universal tax credit?

[Feminine]

I had no idea.

I've been away from the UK, and just saw the actual proposals/rules on another thread.

Its bad right?

I imagine there is another thread on this so if there is, sorry ...I can't find it! :)

Its not set in stone but it doesnt seem that bad from the bits i've read and its not complulsory to claim. It seems to exclude DLA and CB so they remain the same.

It seems to focus on people helping themselves and not getting to choose to be a SAHM or work part time if their household income cant support them. I dont think working 24 hours is asking a lot of an adult nor 35 if no young children. Thats still less than 9-5 five days a week.

Anything that replaces tax credits has to be better, the system simply allowed people not to work or to do the bare minimum whilst the state topped up their income. Not really what the welfare system was set up for.

Thanks for your reply.

I am more anxious about the expectation that once your youngest child reaches 12 both parents must work 35hrs...did I get that right?

I have a 13 year old now, imo I am needed at home more than when he was tiny! I don't know if we will be in need of UTC , but it seems likely (given our bad luck recently)

I'm terrified as there seems to be no protection for carer's either.
I'll have to find a Mon-Fri term time job hahahaha not going to happen to still be able to care for my son and allow my DP to do his shifts as the main earner.

DS will still have to be cared for. There is no special needs childcare here at all.

Twelve year olds can let themselves in after school. No need to be at home for a twelve year old kid.

Why are you needed at home when he is in school? For how long do you think the state should pay for people to stay home? If he was at university, do you think he might still need you at home? My daughter was ill a few times in her first year at university, but that doesn't mean I should stay at home on the off chance, does it?

I'm worried too. I'm a carer for my 3 year old (4 in April). He gets middle rate care rate of DLA but if I've got this right when they change to universal credit they will get rid of MRC and DS will be moved to lower rate. I will then lose my carers allowance and as DH only earns 16k I will be expected to work 24 hours a week. At the moment DS goes to preschool 2 mornings a week. He can just about manage this but struggles often especially towards the end of term as he gets so tired. He is going to school in September and I expect will be going part time for the whole reception year and then needing a lot of time off sick after that. How am I supposed to work 24 hours a week and be available for DS when he needs me?

I know i'll probably get flamed for this but here goes. Dp works 16 hours, he was full time but his work gave employees the choice of redundancy or reduced hours. Dp took the reduced hours, as its better than no job. Now they're bringing this rule in and dp cant get more hours at work and there are hardly any jobs for me which dont require qualifications/experience and work round dp's hours. (I have applied for morning cleaning jobs but not got any interviews) Now if one of us doesnt get more hours we'll be losing £280 a month wtc. Dont get me wrong, i know one of us should be working more but theres just no jobs (there was one for 30 mins a day for 3 days...i mean what would be the point?) Most jobs ask for flexibility, which i cant give them.

Hold on, Feminine do you get paid to stay at home for your 13 yr old? Really? I don't understand the benefits system but that can't be right surely?

In my day you got paid to stay at home until they were 16.

Can it be 24 hours over both parents? If so, then going self employed might be an option? eBay selling, cleaning, work from home?

Op, YABU to think you need to stay unemployed for a 12yo, unless they have serious special needs.

Feminine, both only have to work 35 hours if you want to claim. Secondary aged children are in school at least 30 hours a week (9-3) and many do after school activities, see their friends etc so its not an unrealistic expectation.

They dont seem to have decided what to do re carers yet according to what I have read but i presume it will be reasonable given they are still allowing people with young children to work part time.

Well what is wrong with working 35 hours a week if you and your family are healthy and able bodied and the children are over 12?

My DC are 7 and 3 and I have worked part time until now...DD 2 is in nursery as she begins school in sept...why would I sit here spreading out the housework all day?

Was thinking of doing something self employed but have no idea how to "do the books" etc and dont know what i could do.

I know I don't understand the system. But I dont see how this can be an incentive not to work. If the threshold has been raised.

fabby my 13 year old son is very capable (and its not this son I'm talking about) it will be my DD by then...however, where is the choice?

I'm quite able and happy to go to work (if needs must) but there seem to be SO many parents who are going to have a dreadful time...

imperial if my DH works ,say a 50 hr week, contributing to society/ paying taxes surely its Ok if I stay at home?

Is it a dirty word to want to stay at home?

I feel very sorry for those that are in a much more serious situation than I am.

Fabby no you didn't. You got some benefits. Not paid to stay at home.

I disagree about a 12/13 yr old being left alone for hours after school EVERY day. They may be able to cope with basic self care but sometimes teens need a parent around then more than when they are small.

I still haven't heard anyone explain how this new system will work in areas where there jus AREN'T any new jobs or where you may have a basic PT job you don't want to lose, but your employer can't offer you more. Surely some hours are better than none?

happy maybe we won't have to claim?

I just don't know? guess I am just trying to understand it all.

Been away a while :)

Bossy they would not be alone for hours though! UNless their parents both worked 24 hours a day.

Well if your DH works enough that you can stay at home without the credits then why are you moaning? If you NEED the credts then you need to work.

besty no I don't , I haven't even been in the UK since '05 ...we are coming home with 3 children 13,8 and 3 :)

I am just learning about the proposed system , we have lost everything here (us) due to the dire economy.

A 12 year old is quite capable of letting themselves into an empty home and making drink and watching tv until an adult arrives home, as long as that adult is going to be home at a reasonable, time my shifts for example means I don't arrive home until after 10pm at night so I still need childcare for those shifts I work, not every job is mon-fri 9-5 in fact most women I know do not have neat little jobs that fit nicely into school hours

ah feminine I see. Your first post seemed to allude to you being at home only for 13 yo. Welcome home, as you can see, we're now all royally f**ked thanks to all the morons who voted Tory.

Right susie yours is the kind of situation that effects so many :(

I can see that being us.