to ask if most of you realise the tax credits cuts affect people who work, not the unemployed?

[ssd]

yes, that's right, people who work get tax credits, you must work to get them

the cuts affect people in work, not people who dont work

I'm fed up reading here about the lazy unemployed who will get their tax credits cut...err no they wont.

If only a minority abused them it would have been easier to tackle those by upping the hours needed to claim them. I suspect the majority on tax credits have an adult that doesnt work or part time workers or play the SE card with a business that's a hobby or use an accountant to find a way to claim minimal wages to maximise benefits.

Is it wrong to expect people to pay their own way in life, of course it's not. Where a benefit system encourages people to not work, refuse overtime or promotions and bring more children into the world they can't afford it needs a dramatic overhaul hence the cuts.

Increasing wages and lowering state support is the way to go. It's a gradual start but can be adjusted each budget.

Caryam yes they were. Even after the proposals for U.C had been drawn up and they knew the claimant would have to make minimum wage under it.

Simply, the NMW, or 'Living Wage' in this Country needs to be in the region of £15 an hour so families can afford housing, food and household bills without TC. That is the elephant in the room which no one has addressed, or will.

£15 an hour for unskilled work

Of course no government is going to do that. It would be sheet madness.

Life is full of choices, people fall into two camps. Those that live within their means and those that believe the world owes them a living and that their choices should be funded. People getting greedy and playing the system is the reason the cuts are being carried out.

If we both worked full time, Red, we would not be able to afford childcare or our rent.

Thanks Lougle. With a bit of council tax relief as well I can cushion something like £10 a week loss over £30 a week if that makes sense? I a crossing my fingers for fsm entitlement for a year or so too as that would swallow the rest that I will lose.

I have worked since I left college. I became a single parent when my husband walked out unexpectedly six years ago. I have gradually built up my hours to 5 days a week to fit round the children's schooling, whilst educating myself with a degree so that I am not claiming long term. Sadly I'm still viewed by so many as a scrounger :-(

The government wouldn't be paying it though. How much do you think is realistic to live on? I bet you earn more than that.

Why shouldn't workers be paid £15 for unskilled work cereal why?
Most 'unskilled' work is bloody exhausting... Those of you relying on those workers, would soon notice if they weren't there.
You can be an amazing, reliable employee and yet be useless or unable to study/better yourself.

Lots of skilled work isn't paid £15 an hour.

VelmaD if you get working tax credit (work 16+ hours pw) then you'll only get FSM if you're children are in YR-Yr2.

Exactly my point!
Wages in this Country are far too low.

Haven't read all the thread (yes shoot me now) but it is absolutely bloody disgusting that working parents who earn a low wage get penalised in this way.

I'm a single working woman but I don't have dependents, I am angry on all your behave especially for lone parents that their lives have to be dictated to in this way.

Unemployed people who are too lazy to work (Benefits Street etc) I have no sympathy whatsoever for... and no I don't mean the single parents unemployed or disabled etc I mean men.

BettyCat - I don't 100% know about this but if the Germans can pay their inhabitants (correct word?!) a proper working wage even for no qualified jobs then why the hell can't we?!

I certainly agree with Cereal eater.

As for what people should be paid the Government has announced an increase I think by 2010 in the minimum wage to nearer £10 an hour but apart from that it is what people are prepared to pay for particular skills or lack of skills. I certanily I agree that some tax credits go to a couple with children who both work full time on the minimum wage of £13k a year each or whatever it is which is about £26k before tax. They might need to cut back or else take a weekend job. We have both worked at least 6 days a week for 30 years and I don't expect posters to weep for me but that is not that unusual amongst full time workers and yes childcare costs are a nightmare and always have been in my life time although remember there is the soon to be 30 hours a week free childcare if you can find places which this Government is bringing in for 3 year olds + so if you need 10 hours a day childcare that just leaves you two of your 5 working days a week to fund out of your wages.

If the government provided decent free childcare, l doubt we would be having this conversation.
If working parents were given time off (unreservedly, but within reason) for sick children - we wouldn't be in such a mess as a country.
If workers were paid a minimum of 15 pounds for whatever work... We wouldn't be talking.
Simple,but too complicated for the government.

That 30 hour thing, is actually only any good *if you can find a childcare place close. Many people live rurally, with limited (if at all) bus services.
A car is a luxury.
If you have some money, you can generate more.
Starting from a minus, is a different story.

TripTrap
Taking into consideration that Carer's Allowance is taken into account now, would you please show me where it says it won't be affected next year. I can't find it anywhere and I'm really quite concerned. Currently in receipt of Child tax credits and the Carer's Allowance we receive is counted as a taxable benefit.

My friend lives in Sweden, NMW there is nearer £20 an hour (British equivalent).

the 'third child rule' DOESN'T just apply to those born after April 2017,

You can only keep claiming for big families after 2017 if you continue claiming child tax credits without a break.

If you stop claiming for more than 6 months, then go back to a low wage, you'll only be paid as if you have two children - because it counts as a 'new claim'.

Anyone who claims for the first time after April 2017 will also count as a new claim, regardless of when their children were born.

That means a single mum of three or more children who lands a top job will lift herself out of benefits, but if she's made redundant she'll receive significantly less than she did before.

Red £10 (in 2020) is shit, and I suspect you know this, but like everyone else will not speak of it.

Dawndonna While it is counted as income now, unless you receive working tax credits (or are working but not getting working tax credits because you earn too much or you work under the 16 hours) then it CANNOT be counted because you are not working/WTC 'eligible/entitled' (for these purposes, anyone who is working above the thresholds is counted as being 'eligible' even if not in payment, meaning those who work but don't get WTC will still get a ctc reduction somewhere) therefore the wtc threshold cannot kick in to effect your claim.

As for whether it will effect it if you ARE in receipt of WTC, I don't know what will happen but there are rumours it won't be counted. However, in those circumstances it MAY be.

Could anyone explain (if they are against a 15 pound min wage) why?
On that, government 'back up' would be minimal, if at all.
That is a wage that families could actually live from, reasonably normally.
They could live without the fear of declaring an extra hour, and having their 'benefits' slashed. More than anything else they'd get their self respect back. There would be an incentive to work.

I'd imagine many are against it as it would see prices soaring, Gosh. It would also, in turn, lead to those who are already higher paid requesting a pay rise in line with that of the minimum wage workers. Which would then see prices rise again, if their rises were agreed. If they weren't agreed bang goes aspiration and in comes a lot of annoyance from people who have trained and studied to have a 'higher income' and better lifestyle because they could've achieved the same with a non skilled job

Gosh no one, Government or otherwise, wants to address the issue that wages are way too low in this Country. Sadly a fact. Heaven forbid we don't have to go cap in hand for a few crumbs off the table.

If you paid a McDonalds worker or shelf stacker £15 an hour, then what would a doctor or surgeon be able to command? It would just get way out of hand.

Many skilled jobs don't pay that much where the person has studied or worked hard to gain promotions to get them.

There is no need to increase it that high, there are plenty of people for whom easy work suits. Students, migrants, those who want a second job, adults working around another's hours etc.

Easier to blame the government that face the realisation that poor choices were made by the person themselves.