to think that child benefit cuts are

[mumsfretter]

understandable even though we personally lose as a family, again! However, I resent people who are much much richer than us getting winter fuel allowance still.

Aibu that the two benefits should have been cut together on the same basis or not at all.

I'm not fussed actually, Pinkie. You come across as a bit dim tbh.

Lilchair - jeez is everyone in here on their period?? All so quick to take offence at an opinion and assume its directed at you. By 'luxury lifestyle' I mean things ppl can do without, smartphones, broadband, sky tv, cigarettes alcohol etc nights on the town, and I don't think my comment was rude at all.

Lol a bit dim, fail.

But not everyone is like that pinkie, me & my dh are recently unemployed my cb goes on essentials such as clothes for dc, christmas presents for dc, food for dc.
Not once has it ever gone on drugs, booze or fags!
Being unemployed or low paid does not make you a druggie or careless for your own children.

My parent use their winter fuel allowance towards spending money on their winter holiday.

They dont need it, but the disgust that ensued when it was mentioned as a possible cut had to be seen to be believed. They have more in the bank as savings than my house is worth, £150k +. If they didnt get it then WFPs could be increased for those that really need the money, those that make the choice between eating and having the heating on :(

jeez is everyone in here on their period?

You make comments like that and then are surprised when people take offence?!

Pumpkinswertie - I know not everyone is like that, I haven't said that? It was an example of child benefit not benefitting the child, that's what's wrong with the welfare system too many ppl abuse it for their own needs it when it should be for those who genuinely need it.

pinkie I had a hysterectomy 3 years ago - no mad hormones here

It is very tiring to be working hard to manage on benefits to be told I don't really need them or that they are capable of funding a luxury lifestyle though. They really don't. Simple as.

And also when I had my children I had a husband who, as a matter of pride (his) didn't want me to work. Now I have no husband, no money and am studying, so at some point I'm sure I will pay back in taxes what I'm currently taking. In fact, I suppose the Ex has paid in taxes way more that I am taking. So there is that.

Bogeyface - you've just proved my point, no-one can have an opinion in here without having abuse hurled up in them or hanged up on its like a school playground, whatever happened to a good old debate and not taking things personally? Nothing I've said is directed at anyone in here

I am PARENT and a TAX PAYER

as a tax payer I want universal Child benefit :)

Pinkie WTF?! I am a actually laughing at the fact that you dont see that a) what you said WAS an insult to every woman on this thread and b) that YOU hurled the abuse, not me!

There is an argument that universal benefits such as CB make a more cohesive society.

Lilchair - think I need one after coming in here

I think we're lucky to have the safety net of the welfare system but its not been used (by a minority) for what it was designed for ie genuine cases of hardship. I know of a woman with 12 kids the eldest is 30 who she had at 15 (shes now 47) and openly admits she's never worked a day in her life because in her eyes she doesn't need to

Bogeyface - glad your laughing enjoy.

Winter fuel should be paid straight to the supplier ! My dad gets it but my mum pays the bill and he takes his payment and drinks it in the pub how fair !

I am, thank you.

So what is your solution to the small minority who dont spend their benefits in a way you approve of, O wise one? Or the smaller minority that abuse the system?

Let everyone sink or swim on their own merits and to hell with those that drown?

Chablis Accountant says it's fine as he works contracts for different companies. All it's really going to mean is that he gets about 75% of the contract value instead of his current 60% ish.

I'll be becoming a SAHM next year when DC2 is born, my £10k gross wage will be less than the childcare costs for 2 children. I know, it's our choice to have another child. I have health problems that means it's pretty much now or never to have another child, and we really want 2. So if we can rearrange things in the way of tax planning then hopefully it'll all work out.

Incidentally, I know we're v lucky in our situation at the moment, all it would take is for DH to be out of work for more than a few months and we'd be up shit creek. We've been close before and it terrifies me. k.

Happy to lose CB if we are returning to a tax situation where my tax free allowance is transferable to my husband. If we are to be considered a unit for benefits we should be considered a unit for tax.

Good point.

Bogeyface - I don't have all the answers I was simply voicing my opinion which I have every right to do so - oh so easily offended one.

I stand by my belief that it needs to be means tested and I do partly agree that it never should have existed, everyone chooses to have a baby no-one is forced... Unless they're held prisoner in an underground bunker...

lancs I agree that being able to transfer the allowance would be a great thing. As you said, if we are couple for benefits, why cant we be a couple of tax?

everyone chooses to have a baby no-one is forced... Unless they're held prisoner in an underground bunker...

And what of those who end up with children through marriage breakdown or abuse? What of those women? And I fail to see how you can claim a legitimate opinion without backing that up with an alternative. Just saying "ITS WRONG!!!!!!!!" is no bloody use to anyone!

I am not at all offended, laughing my bloody head off if you must know!

Child benefit at the current levels is crazy, the whole idea of people earning double the average wage being in receipt of benefits is just absurd.

Bogeyface; before you start coming up with "what ifs" it would be helpful if you could provide the likelihoods of the events you are so concerned about.

Bionic - have seen people caught out before when they set up a company and work only for one company and then get caught - for want of a better word and having to pay the additional tax and nic.

The changes that are afoot are drastic. The new universal credit will be tied into the new real time payroll system being implemented eventually meaning that the hours you work will be imputed and the tax credits adjusted accordingly.

The revenue will be in all aspects of it and will be like big brother. Child benefit is only the starts. They already have details of all the bank accounts, loans, mortgages etc etc so they will basically know everything.

Its such an emotive issue - but it is on AIBU after all. Aren't polarised opinions par for the course?

To add my tuppenceworth:
I have 4 DS. The CB we get is equivalent of about 4.5k in pre taxed income which is a lot. I work pt when I can and DH is self employed. Our income varies massively from month to month let alone year to year. Since we already fill out SA forms it is no extra work for us just lots of hassle in terms of financial planning.

Having kids is expensive. But where does it stop with the only having for them if you can afford them? They have cost the NHS a certain amount (esp as DS 1 and 2 were in SCBU for a month), the state pays to educate them. We use the library, roads, refuse collection etc more than smaller families but we, and they in their time are (hopefully) going to be taxpayers.

What fascist DM and Telegraph readers many people appear to be saying Is that people have kids because they can get an extra £13 in benefit a week so we should stop it, even though its going to cost tons to administer. I just don't believe this is the case. Have you tried feeding/clothing/caring for kids on this amount of money? Its not fun and not a lifestyle choice taken by the majority in this country.

I don't think they should stop it because they are doing so for the wrong reasons.

Bogeyface - since when has expressing an opinion been based on having to give a solution?? If that was the case no-one would have an opinion ever. My point is its not the taxpayers fault when relationships breakdown for whatever reason