to think that child benefit changes to those on over 60k is genius?

[patsara]

And a bloody good idea? I mean those on under this aren't going to have sympathy and the REALLY rich and powerful? Well, it's nothing to them.

It's also really funny to hear stories of couples trying to think of ways to say they're not a family. So you're living with a man who is the father of your child but you're not a family? Riii-ght...

I think people should just forget subterfuge and suck it up. I earn 100k a year and losing it will mean nothing to me. Rather it went to feed some REALLY poor kid myself.

YABU

Genius because a family where two individuals earn less than 50k individually but more than 60k combined still get CB? Yes that's really clever.

It amounts to about a 4% loss of post tax income.

Universal benefits are a good thing IMO. Cheap to administer too. The new system - you may have noticed by the lack of announcements on money saved - will be more costly.

reallyboredatwork, couldn't have put it better myself

Eh patsara, between 50-60K you lose it on a sliding scale, I don't know the exact figure but if your on about 58K chances are you won't be getting a lot.

If you've got 2 or more DC chances are any pay rise will be getting offset by a reduction in CB.

I think it's genius - first it's called Child Benefit instead of Family Allowance, meaning that it can be lumped in with "benefits" as in "they live off benefits" (which government did this?). Then despite promising during the election that they wouldn't touch it, the Conservatives remove it from higher rate tax payers. The really rich (like the OP and above) don't need it, so they don't care. And anyone who earns below the higher rate threshold thinks that anyone above it is extremely rich, and so they don't care either.

Then, and this is the genius bit, you can stealthily reduce the level at which it's paid. Because you're only going to affect one small part of the population at a time, hardly anyone will complain. Those who earn less with think that people losing it earn lots, so what's the complain about. Those who earn more will have lost it already, so won't notice.

Eventually, it will only be paid to people who are living off benefits, and then it can be portrayed as something that it only used by "benefit scroungers" and either left to wither under inflation, or get scrapped entirely. And a universal payment that has had all the benefits listed below has gone forever.

Otherwise, why bother? It's going to cost a fortune for all the admin that these changes are going to cost, so it's just not worth it financially for the government as it stands.

me thinks someone doesnt actually earn 100K and is a bit jel of SAHMs

Chin up OP you get used to it.

Patsara, you do seem cross. Are you ok?

It's just a discussion, you know.

Would it have been better to set the maximum at a bit higher, say £80,000 per year. And also I think in future maybe it should be capped at two children but a more generous allowance per child.

Jealous of SAHM's? Never. They are spoilt women who do nothing all day. I'm actually pleased that if both parents earn 60k or more each they keep it.

Op = Newbie and or NameChanger Check
Op = Writes deliberately goady post Check
Op = Then uses post as excuse to make PA on other posters Check
Oh Dear

Conclusion =

How can you possibly be up for an argument before lunchtime patsara? Because you know you'll be jumped on. Go and get something to eat and you'll feel better. Protein.

patsara, you sound really bitter.

I should add that BOTH parents on 60k apiece are actually contributing TAX for the benefit of society.

We're here to listen, patsara.

Let it out.

If people are a bit bitter it's no wonder. Some people are barely scraping by on minimum wage having to listen to people on £50,000 a a year whining about losing benefit. It doesn't surprise me people would get cross about this.

So you're only worth anything if you contribute tax?

Are children worthless then?

The elderly now worthless?

Raising our future generation is no small task to be sneered at. Sitting behind a desk all day is not, in my opinion, more worthwhile than raising a child.

Fuck me OP you're an idiot of a troll.

Viv that's what I thought.

Oh and I've hardly been sat on my arse these years. I've worked all my working life and have never claimed anything bar CB.I have simply had a few years off when I had my dc.

I have earned dp's glowing CV as I have supported him at various times financially and as a partner.We thought we were doing the right thing by focusing on his career and not running 2 into the ground when we had 3 babies in 1 year.

Bitterly regretting it now-so shoot me!

Iggly nobody said people who don't pay tax are worthless. Anyway very many elderly people do pay tax until they take their last breath, and then afterwards too.

I'd like to keep all my child benefit. It's a way of recognising the fact we're net contributors and the welfare system is for all children.

To those concerned that your partners earn just over £60k on a good year but not always, he can pay more into a pension fund and you still get to claim cb. Morally dubious in my book but with such a stupid system every little helps . (It also means that you would probably be slightly worse off per month now, but better off in the future. Look into it.

do you really think someone earning 60k is REALLY rich and powerful?

No point paying more into a pension - they'll have it all off you anyway

I'm being to think I've dropped into a parallel universe here.

Pastara, if both parents each earn £60k or more they do NOT keep CB - if that's what you mean by keeping "it".

As for being "spoilt women who do nothing all day" .... well, I'm not going to waste my time responding in any depth to that. There are always exceptions to every rule but that doesn't apply to the vast majority of SAHMs.

yea, you're jealous

FWIW I am too a little bit, Id love to be able to afford to stay at home. Save your anger though for situation and the cost of living that means you cant afford to do it though. No point in being bitter towards those that can afford it, good luck to them I say