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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think the abortion rate will increase after April this year?

930 replies

RocketQueenP · 21/02/2017 17:07

When the new rules on tax credits / universal credit come in ie when no one can claim benefit be it top up or otherwise for any more than 2 children

Sadly I am helping a good friend cope who has just had an early abortion, she did not plan the pregnancy and one of the main reasons is she and her DH are low earners/ They already have 2 at school, and won't be able to afford to have this baby. She is devastated and has admitted they could have squeezed another DC in if it wasn't for the new rules. I think this will happen a lot. :(

In times gone by people would adopt out children that were unplanned that they couldn't afford and I really feel that this is what we are headed back to. Not adoption but, you get my drift

I also think the government fully know this and its one of the reasons they have brought it in. Simple population control Angry

OP posts:
needsahalo · 21/02/2017 19:11

Supporting two children, because the parents aren't, is still highly generous

Oh do sod off with your stereotyping. I am a full time teacher, single parent to 3, and I am entitled to tax credit support. In what way am I not supporting my children? What else is it you would have me do? Workhouse?

TheFirstMrsDV · 21/02/2017 19:11

Bonny isn't right.
The OP said the baby was not planned. The termination was because the family can't afford another child.
They didn't plan a child based on benefits and then change their mind when they realised they wouldn't get any.

'picking up extra hours' Yeah life is always that simple in Tory land.

This thread is a gift for pro birthers and the sort of people who think Benefit Street is a documentary.

TheFirstMrsDV · 21/02/2017 19:12

The government is desperately desperately short of money for anything
Christ on a Bike you really believe that shit don't you?

AndNowItsSeven · 21/02/2017 19:13

www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/ia15-006e.pdf
Shows it's new claims after a six month break of either tax credits or UC.

watchoutformybutt · 21/02/2017 19:13

Rather that than people bringing children into the world and giving them a crap life of poverty. Is the government meant to just fund endless babies? Where would it stop?

OneWithTheForce · 21/02/2017 19:13

I live in a run down industrial town with little by way of aspiration or prospects and believe me here playing the system is a choice many make

If there are no prospects then how is benefits a choice? Confused

LaPharisienne · 21/02/2017 19:15

What will happen is lots of people who do not have their lives in order and are a long way off family planning of any sort will have more than two children and all of those children will suffer.

SHAME on ANYONE who is willing to punish innocent children for the sins of their parents.

BonnyScotland · 21/02/2017 19:15

RocketQueenP stated and I quote.....

She is devastated and has admitted they could have squeezed another DC in if it wasn't for the new rules....

_

So...... Pregnancy terminated due to lack of additional benefits.x

AndNowItsSeven · 21/02/2017 19:16

"ï‚· Providing the same level of support provided for families with 2 children receiving Universal Credit to those families with three or more children and who make a new claim after April 2017. To achieve this, third or subsequent children born after April 2017 will no longer trigger entitlement to additional support within Universal Credit. This will also apply to families who make an entirely new claim to Universal Credit from April 2017"

Silentplikebath · 21/02/2017 19:18

I know this sounds harsh but those of us who are not on benefits have to limit the number of children we can afford, why should benefit claimants be any different?

I don't think the abortion rate will change much but I think it's possible more babies will become available for adoption.

roundaboutthetown · 21/02/2017 19:20

Heavens - we're broke, are we?! Somebody needs to warn any businesses thinking of investing here! This country is broke! We're not one of the wealthiest countries in the entire world after all! Go elsewhere! We cannot afford to keep your workers healthy or educate your children and our infrastructure is falling to bits! Set up in France, instead!

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 21/02/2017 19:22

Supporting two children, because the parents aren't, is still highly generous

Well I agree with this.

Gertrudeisgerman · 21/02/2017 19:22

The people who are 'for' this change keep parroting the same line 'Use protection. If you can't pay, don't have them etc.' But I'm not hearing reasons WHY this should happen. You know, factual reasons like 'If we limit it to 2 children the UK will save X amount and the birth rate will decline by X% and this will be good for X reasons. The UK can't afford this due to the economy being XYZ etc'.

The people who are against this have given a mix of emotive reasons and also questioned why it's needed. Tax credits are IN WORK benefits but it has turned into a benefits bashing thread.

Lilmisskittykat · 21/02/2017 19:23

It's a generation on generation culture. Pits closed people stopped working now 3/4 generations down don't as there's no aspiration.

We no longer have industry jobs that don't require a high level academia. It's intrenched culture. Clearly there are jobs

It's a choice as there are opportunities .. apprenticeships, education but when your parents and grand parents don't value education can't read can't support their kids with maths etc it's easier to disengage and just breed instead.

It's crazy how it's suggested that no one would choose benefits. There are plenty of people on here who say by time pay child care no point going to work might as well claim.

needsahalo · 21/02/2017 19:23

Through....as I said, what else do I do?

space83 · 21/02/2017 19:25

SemiNormal so that is your concrete proof for 'them'. For an entire group of people. Because one or two people may not make it known to you their aspirations and just gone 'whatev's' to life you feel that penalising a system meant to encourage work is the way forward? Really????

Bloody Hell, I hope to god you're not in University studying anything which will put you in a role working with people. Your pre judgement is astonishing...

It's not naive to believe in a system which can and should be about collectivity and inclusivity and not about the privileged few.

And I grew up in a deprived northern town with a suitable hardship upbringing which went back two generations. I've lived hand to mouth but I wouldn't bore you with it because shrug well, c'est la vie as some people say, eh?

megletthesecond · 21/02/2017 19:25

yy Imnotfat I'm pretty damn sure two of DS's mates have mothers in that situation. Hateful dad's / mums new bf and always pregnant Sad. They have older kids, toddlers and babies and are pregnant again. I want to weep when I see them.

Olympiathequeen · 21/02/2017 19:26

It's such a small amount it won't push people into abortions. If you want a child you just find a way to manage.

Also it can't be right that people just about managing and not receiving anything other than child benefit and can't afford 3 children, should have to subsidise couples who claim multiple benefits.

Reow · 21/02/2017 19:27

I'm sorry but people are throwing out there some very uncommon scenarios to discredit the new cap.

Of course there are some situations involving health/death/abuse in which people should be entitled to extra help.

There are also many many many people who continue to have children because they are irresponsible, negligent with contraception, lazy and entitled, and are fully aware that they are relying on a free ride.

Blame these people. Not the government/immigration/politicians/people who agree with the cap.

phoenix1973 · 21/02/2017 19:27

Seems like the government want mainly rich educated types to breed to secure long term economic prosperity in the U.K.
Just a thought.

RainbowsAndUnicorn · 21/02/2017 19:28

Gerturde, I'm for it and would be even if fully removed.

Parents, not other tax payers, should be responsible for providing for any children they have. If they can't afford them, then they make changes to be able to do so just like everyone else not on benefits does. It's a basic of parenting to provide yet so many don't and we allow it.

Tax credits aren't an in work benefit, plenty of non workers claim them.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 21/02/2017 19:29

needs I don't think you shouldn't have help, and it's right it's there. But this has been coming for a while, and I feel there should be a limit to the number of children it extends to.

Babyroobs · 21/02/2017 19:29

Tax credits are not just in work benefits - you can claim child tax credits even if you have never worked a day in your life . The only qualifying factor is that you have children.

Crowdblundering · 21/02/2017 19:30

It will increase because of the cuts to sexual health services for 13-19 yes olds.