AIBU to think that people earning £960 per week don't really need Child Benefit?

[OldGreyWiffleTest]

Well, am I?

I mean the cost of living depends! 50 k not much for family in south east

But this policy has nothing, NOTHING to do with whether the Govt thinks people need the money or not! That is totally beside the point!!!

The family in the south east has the option of moving, just as we have avoided moving to the south east for work because of the stupid cost of living. If anyone's going to move onto suggest regional benefits (or regional pay, there's an idea) then that would just exacerbate the existing economic differences within the UK. That is not a good thing.

I think, in all honesty, that people who earn say 200,000 pounds a year,
shouldn't have child benefit. They have enough to provide for their families. If we can't agree, maybe it's time to go down the American route. I have family there, believe me, you wouldn't really swap.

Having said that, house prices elsewhere in the country often more than match south east prices. And in an area like mine, with very poor infrastructure, the cost of living is considerably more. So actually... But no, there is nothing that would persuade me to move to the south east.

Where would the family in the south east move too if all the work for their profession was in London?

enthusiasm - I don't disagree, I just think that the argument is missing the real point, which is the Government's disregard for fairness.

As I've said, on this thread or another - can't remember - if this is about who needs the money then they should have abolished CB altogether and made it up with tax credits. That would exclude higher household incomes automatically and be much much fairer. It would also cost no more at all to administer.

They haven't done that, meaning there is an ulterior motive (or a lack of intelligence). Probably the latter.

They would switch careers, or use some imagination and divert their career slightly - just like the rest of us do. They have options. I'm struggling to think of a career that absolutely has to be done in London, and which equips the person with no transferable skills whatsoever.

That was my point - there certainly shouldn't be a regional aspect to CB. Therefore the fact that a hypothetical family with a hypothetical income of 50k living in the north east are 'better off' than the same hypothetical family living in the south east is irrelevant.

Gaelic, I have to say, I agree with you. Probably lack of intelligence.

Just to add, I really do question the whole cost of living is higher in the south east thing that's always trotted out.

Just an example, I'm in the north of Scotland. I pay nearly £40 a month for broadband (via satellite), £150 a month for heating and electric (off the gas grid) and nearly £300 on petrol just for essential journeys. Our house prices are fast approaching southern ones ("desirable" area). Our household earns nothing like £50k.

Cost of living is higher in the south east you say?

I would happily give up the CB we are paid, I would give up a further £130 a month on top if I knew it was going to help people tha t truely needed it, but this government is taking from the most vunerable people in society, not giving back.

I refuse to be happy that I am giving up CB for the benefit of the "greater good" when the massive amount of tax DP ALREADY pays goes towards supporting families that are employed by the likes of Tescos - companies that are creaming off £billions in profits whilst the majority of employees wages are suplemented by tax credits as they refuse do not pay them a living wage.

It is a disgrace.

Gaelic

People can not just switch careers willy nilly
A huge amount of professions are London centric, hence llyods market etc
It's house prices that make the difference

If you spending £300 in petrol then why don't you just move like the rest of us?

It is ridiculous to suggest that people in the SE can just adapt and move out! There are plenty of jobs that are dependant on area, my DP's being one of them. It is a job he had worked hard for, and one he enjoys - what you are suggesting is that only the people for whom money really does not matter should be able to have jobs in areas where housing costs are high.. so what does that mean for the other areas? Oh great, lets ghetto-ise evrything else and have everyone fighting for the same few jobs that are handed out in other areas whilst the elite stay put by the thames

If you are a SAHP affected by the reductions or loss of CB, then frankly, you could start earning to make up the difference. Your partner will be earning at least 50k, in fact 60k if you stand to lose CB completely, so the argument that you can't afford childcare falls a bit flat

Conversely, if you have a couple each earning 45k, they are already paying childcare out of that, so probably have less disposable income than the first family

There are lots of costs to working - childcare and transport being the main ones. A SAHP is highly unlikely to need a second car for instance. I actually took my car off the road while on maternity leave to say a bit of money- and no I didn't live somewhere with great transport links, I just spent a lot of time at home or out walking. Whereas once I went back to work, I was paying nursery and needing a car to drive there and then on to work.

I'm afraid I can't muster huge sympathy for families with a HR tax payer and the luxury of a SAHP.

This idea that people can move to save money is ridiculous. I have friends who were made redundant and have now found a job in Sheffield. They are moving but only because she's the one with the higher potential to earn money. His income cannot sustain a mortgage and living in the se. They don't even have huge childcare costs because up till her redundancy they juggled such that he worked at nights, her mum had the kids one day, kids in nursery one day and she was part time.

I don't think they are actually moving for posher pastures. They are moving because that's where she's found a job. But obviously this means he will have to find a job. Plus sell their house etc. and incidentally her parents moved down here from Scotland to be near the grand kids. So what are the grandparents going to do?

For my family to move we both have to find new jobs. And because my dh's sector has been so affected by the recession it'll be difficult. V difficult. His profession's leading journal's jobs page has gone down to 10% of what it used to carry. And so has mine. So frankly it's better to stay put where at least there's one secure job than to lump it all and look for 2 jobs. No?

Yanbu - if they want cb work less. I'd be happy to swap there £900 a week for my £130 a month.

It's about time this got stopped. People who work don't complain they should get jsa because ppl who don't work do. GREED

Or bitterness on the part of those who earn less?

I am in the North East. I am still struggling to see the point you're making.

If you can't afford to bring up a family without state benefits...don't start a family. Is there anyone who doesn't qualify for state benefits in the UK?

horses when I conceived we could afford to manage without benefits. What do you suggest I now do with my dds?

Work from home?

That would only work if I could find a job to work at. Working out the home is not a problem would do it if I could get a job.

horses that's a very simplistic view to have. Like Hecuba said, things were fine when she started her family, you can't predict the future, that's what benefits are for.