Child benefit and large families

[skinnywhippet]

Just seen an advert for a family which have 15 children www.telegraph.co.uk/news/8972550/Fifteen-children-and-counting....html
I worked out they must be claiming around £8000 a year, tax free, in child benefit. Aibu to be irritated that they can claim such a huge amount, uncapped, regardless of how many children they have?
They seem a lovely family and I'm no at all annoyed with them, but at the government. One family can claim such a large amount, yet my family are not entitled to anything.
I know I am being unreasonable, but I am just fed up with the inconsistency of the government. Why do middle income families always end up being punished?

Actually OP you would be entitled. Child benefit goes by the highest earner in the household not the combined income. At 60k the child benefit charge would be equal to what you receive. Between 50-60k it's a sliding scale. Rough numbers but you'd get about 1k and have to give back £200 on the amount you stated.

If the higher earner makes gift aid payments or pension contributions you may not have to pay any back at all.

Oh but I def think with a household income such as yours you don't need it at all!

Actually skinny, you prob will get it. It's not combined income. It's highest earner. And if any of your salary goes on non taxable things like pensions, then that doesn't count. So even on a salary of £52000 if you're paying a couple of hundred a month into pension, you'd be exiled to child benefit in full.