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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU about Tax Credits cuts,

792 replies

Weathergames · 15/09/2015 23:37

Commons back Osborne plan for tax credit cuts
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34260902

I don't claim anymore because I now earn enough to support myself - because I could work and progress my career as well as my life while being a single parent.

AIBU to think this is a total travesty and so many single parents are going to have their life's devastated by this - and what about people in domestic abuse situations who will now be more unable to leave?

Maybe I some benefits scrounger - but the tax credits enabled me to be a good parent and role model to my kids - without their feckless father affecting that .... AIBU?!

OP posts:
Osolea · 16/09/2015 17:23

What do you consider to be the basics though?

Are the basics enough to rent a room or a studio flat to sustain just yourself, or are the basics enough to pay for a home with a garden enough to comfortably sustain two adults and three children?

bodenbiscuit · 16/09/2015 17:23

The cost of living is why so many children don't leave home until their late 20s any more. That never happened 25 years ago.

bodenbiscuit · 16/09/2015 17:25

Osolea - I'm talking about not being cold and being able to pay gas and electricity bills. I lived in a Victorian house a few years ago and my combined dd was £240/month! I'm now living in a much more energy efficient house but not everyone has the opportunity to move.

bodenbiscuit · 16/09/2015 17:29

I can see this whole situation encouraging a lot of people to not declare income...

Pollygin · 16/09/2015 17:56

How could anyone on these benefits vote Tory and not think further benefit cuts would affect them? It was wildly known what was going to be hit next.

I place a large part of the blame on the SNP!

Margaritte · 16/09/2015 17:57

We will lose nearly £2000 annual, according to music's calculator.
That's roughly £158 per month. We scrape by now as it is. Very worried, and not sure about the situation with HB either.

Does anyone benefit from this? I'm sorry if it's been mentioned - I've not read the whole thread

JanetBlyton · 16/09/2015 17:57

Many many of us are very pleased with the vote. It is what the people wanted. We voted. That is democracy.

Margaritte · 16/09/2015 17:58

Also wonder how many MNetters find themself in the same position?

Margaritte · 16/09/2015 17:59

JanetBlyton What is it that makes you so pleased with the results of the vote?

HelenaDove · 16/09/2015 18:00

"There will still be baristas and newspaper sellers in expensive areas, those jobs can be done by people who have a higher earning partner"

And hopefully the higher earning partner wouldnt be financially abusive Because that never happens Hmm

Pollygin · 16/09/2015 18:01

HB has kept rents artificially high. Rent will go down, lagging obviously, if this is cut.

bigkidsdidit · 16/09/2015 18:03

Mother - you don't have to claim it!

HelenaDove · 16/09/2015 18:05

Its not always easy for ppl to increase their hours. And it would also help if employers were more truthful.

Someone i know works for a supermarket....... they gave her 28 and a half hours a week. She needs 30 to get tax credits. (no DC) and has been asking for the last few years for them to increase her hours by an hour and a half a week. Shes said she would do more than that. They said no to her. Shes also applied and looked for other jobs. The only time that they dont say no to her is..........yep you have guessed it the few weeks before Christmas. Not to mention the fact that they took a load of ppl on one October swearing blind the jobs were permanent then one of these new staffers found out they were being got rid of on Christmas Eve. 3 of these six newbies then walked out saying they wernt going to give up their Xmas Eve with their families after being told a pack of lies

Margaritte · 16/09/2015 18:07

Are they cutting it, Pollygin? That may be the one good thing from this - reasonable housing prices

Pollygin · 16/09/2015 18:07

At work we do struggle for people to do overtime or go for promotion as they will be no better off and have more work to do. That is a broken system. Not sayingf the way they are doing it is right, but it was far from perfect.

redstrawberry10 · 16/09/2015 18:07

And hopefully the higher earning partner wouldnt be financially abusive Because that never happens

odd non-sequitur. a large percentage of couples have big gap in wages.

Osolea · 16/09/2015 18:13

We can't give out unnecessary benefits to millions for the sake of the few who have an financially controlling partner or live in a Victorian house that's hard to heat.

There are grants available to people on low incomes if they need insulation and there is help available to people who need to leave abusive partners.

Icanseeclearly · 16/09/2015 18:15

I earn the current "living wage" I live in a house that is double the maximum occupancy according to the lha, in the north of the country and is significantly below market rent, in fact below the lha level. Yet my take home pay leaves £100 per month after rent. Not even enough to feed us.

The situation isn't because I'm lazy (I take every scrap of overtime going) or living in London or because I frivolously had more children (I wasn't entitled when I had my youngest) or even because I refuse to help myself (I'm training in the skills I need for the role above me and the one above that). It's because wages are too low.

The wage situation changing will, most likely, put my national employer out of business so then there'd be no job at all.

I have worked hard to build a situation where I have the opportunity to stop relying on tax credits. Sadly it would seem it is going to be for nothing and I will lose everything.

My best slap yet was a (former) friend on fb who commented on an article about the cuts "I don't care so long as they bring back fox hunting". A whole new level of I'm alright jack imo.

Dawndonnaagain · 16/09/2015 18:19

Many many of us are very pleased with the vote. It is what the people wanted. We voted. That is democracy.
You do understand that this affects people on disability benefits too?
I am today angry and bitter, partly because those delightful folk at HMRC have managed to fuck up our tax credits. They won't be reinstated for a minimum of two weeks. I have nothing in my account but three people with disabilities in the house. Good job I'm a hoarder and always have a months worth of food in the cupboards and freezer, but there are others not in that position. This is the reality of what you voted for.

HelenaDove · 16/09/2015 18:21

Dawn Im so sorry Thanks

Babyroobs · 16/09/2015 18:25

Osolea - Like you I know many people who work minimum hours for maximum tax creidts, many households having a sahp for no obvious reason ( ie the kids are teenagers!!) except that they don't need to have 2 parents working because they can claim tax credits. I have no problem with situations where both parents are working a decent number of hours for minimum wage and are still struggling, or even where a household has pre schoolers and childcare costs outweigh the benefit of working. But to be honest some peope just take the tax credits because they are easily available. I've seen people moaning about not going on holiday or having to postpone their wedding because their tax crdidts are being cut.

MyGastIsFlabbered · 16/09/2015 18:27

I'm really scared, I'm a LP who started a part time job last week. The 'entitled to' website worked out with this job I'd be about £100 percent better off but if tax credits are cut I'm in a lot of trouble.

hattyhatter · 16/09/2015 18:29

This reply has been deleted

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HelenaDove · 16/09/2015 18:30

I can see young children being left home alone if desperate parents even manage to get intermittent inconsistent hours.

Alfieisnoisy · 16/09/2015 18:31

i thought Xenia had been banned?

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