to feel that the Tories like foreign children more than British ones?

[SindyW]

They pay child benefit to Polish children who have never even been to Britain. They support children in the third world by maintaining the full value of the overseas aid budget, whilst at the same time saying they can't afford to raise income support, working tax credits or child tax credits in line with inflation. They will raise support for overseas children in line with inflation but not support for British children. British students have seen a 300% increase in their university tuition fees but overseas students have had a much smaller rise (in line with inflation). It seems, to me, that David Cameron and Ian Duncan Smith have it in for British children and young people or am I being unreasonable?

[IThinkOfHappyWhenIThinkOfYou]

Your understanding of the politics behind the headlines is too weak for you to have feelings which have any real meaning attached to them so on that score YABU.

As for feeling 'unfairly treated', if we would deign to pay the parents of foreign children properly for the things they manufacture and the food they produce instead of giving them half of what they ask for and a tenth of what they deserve then that would go some way to improving their countries economies so they could feed/clothe/educate/vaccinate their children without us filling the bellies and pockets of the of the dictators that we have installed. But to do that we would no longer be able to buy a pair of jeans for £3. You're standing on their backs, so quit moaning about what is 'fair'.

[Chopchopbusybusy]

Polkadot, we may be in the midst of a recession but we are still a relatively wealthy country and as such we should be making a contribution to less wealthy countries. I find the idea that we shouldn't shocking.

[lovelyladuree]

Another thread started by a Daily Mail reader. Will just put the kettle on.

[DreamingOfTheMaldives]

Vagaceratops and MissyMoo - How exactly is it racist for the OP to suggest the overseas aid budget should be reduced because as a country we cannot afford it?! You may have a different opinion, and believe that the aid budget should be maintained because even in our worst position we are still far more fortunate than other countries, but how is the OP's opinion racist? How it it racist for her to question whether child benefit should be paid when the child does not live in the UK?

I agree that child benefit should only be paid for children who live in the UK. Whether you are British or Polish or any other nationality, you should not receive child benefit unless your children live in the UK too. As PolkadotCircus said CB is to assist parents with the additional costs of raising children in the UK, IMO; these costs are not the same in other countries.

If someone has a different opinion then please share this and offer an explanation - don't simply shout "racist."

[DreamingOfTheMaldives]

By the way, I understand that EU rules dictate that child benefit must be paid but it doesn't prevent me, or anyone else, having an opinion regarding that rule.

[DreamingOfTheMaldives]

Nilbyname who exactly was your rather rude post directed at?

[Vagaceratops]

Fine.

The OP's views are clouding her judgement, either that or she has little knowledge of what she speaks.

If universities raised the already high fees of foreign students, they would be priced out of the market, the domestic fees would have to increase, or universities would close.

[nilbyname]

Polka

I stand by my comment as the op has presented a very limited view with a very poor understanding of the issues she has raised. So yes I think that is pretty thick. If you are going to come on AIBU with such strong and polarised views, at least be able to give them some sort of support beyond gutter press headlines.

I bet I get deleted. (((goes round behind bike sheds to smoke, but not inhale)

[Vagaceratops]

You can have an opinion about the rules, but you cannot then say that DC and IDS like foreign children more than they like British ones because they are following them, its just a ridiculous DM-esque hype.

[MiniTheMinx]

Well at least OP has raised some interesting points otherwise we might all sit around moaning about the price of imported coffee or clothing.

[DreamingOfTheMaldives]

Vagaceratops - but how is the OP racist? You called her a racist; I think that warrants some explanation, as it is very easy to fling that sort of accusation.

[dreamingbohemian]

Overseas (non-EU) students have been paying more than £10,000 a year for tuition for YEARS, effectively subsidising UK/EU students. I think that's perfectly fine, but you certainly can't say that foreign students are getting preferential treatment. They're also not eligible for much of the student aid that UK students get.

Why not take advantage of EU rules for your own children? There are universities in Holland, Germany, Sweden that offer courses taught in English for certain subjects. If your children are young they could even start learning a foreign language now and open up their options.

[Vagaceratops]

She thinks tax paying parents should not be able to claim CB because they children are Foreign.

She thinks Foreign students should have their fees increased by much more.

She thinks that Foreign aid is a waste of time, and not because it may not actually reach those is meant to help, but because benefits in this country will not be rising by more than 1%.

Anyone that spends this much time and effort worrying about foreigners really has a problem.

[Vagaceratops]

some benefits.

[Dramajustfollowsme]

Yabu - the Tories don't like any children.

[LoopsInHoops]

Her singling out of Poland could be construed as racist.

[fluffyraggies]

Having a very poor understanding about something doesn't make a person thick.

Yelling insults and sarcasm around does make you look very thick.

Trying to express an opinion on something even if you don't understand it isn't a crime.

I find it educational to read the properly constructed explanations from posters about politics. They stop the knee jerk reactions to headlines.

Those posters crying 'thicko' and 'racist' however, just come across as prats IMO.

H that H

[PessaryPam]

Sindy has a valid point regarding tuition fees. I think the overseas aid is actually overseas bribes to enable exports, they just dress it up with humanitarian bullshit.

OP don't worry, there are people on here who scream racist at the drop of a hat. And to them anyone to the right of Karl Marx is just evil

I extend a sincere welcome to you.

[Vagaceratops]

Well I would rather be an educated prat than someone who believes everything that they read in the DM, not even thinking to question it but taking it as gospel.

[nilbyname]

Well it was done in jest, so whatevs, I can see it has bombed.

sindy I apologise, I hold a different view from you and fail to see any merit in the points you make, however they are yours to hold and calling you thick was insulting, unecessary and I take it back.

[LoopsInHoops]

What's the 'valid point' regarding tuition fees? It's not valid at all, it's downright idiotic.

[fluffyraggies]

And calling that person a thicko or racist is really helping isn't it?

[fluffyraggies]

X post nilby.