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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tax childless adults

542 replies

Acidburn · 04/07/2022 13:41

Hi all

Just saw the below article on LBC news:

www.lbc.co.uk/news/childless-tax-birthrate-uk-cost-of-living-paul-morland/

AIBU to think that this insane?

OP posts:
TheVillageElder · 04/07/2022 21:16

No different to us all having to pay towards hsc. Education and the needs of children is the next biggest cost for the society. So if they're not contributing to the next generation physically I suppose they can do so financially.

FrippEnos · 04/07/2022 21:20

TheVillageElder · 04/07/2022 21:16

No different to us all having to pay towards hsc. Education and the needs of children is the next biggest cost for the society. So if they're not contributing to the next generation physically I suppose they can do so financially.

childless people are already providing financial support. .

growinggreyer · 04/07/2022 21:22

TheVillageElder · 04/07/2022 21:16

No different to us all having to pay towards hsc. Education and the needs of children is the next biggest cost for the society. So if they're not contributing to the next generation physically I suppose they can do so financially.

I have worked in education for the last 30 years. I have taught countless children to read, to write, to use the toilet, to fasten their shoelaces etc. But you think I haven't contributed to the next generation? I find it baffling how some people can be so thick and still operate a computer.

YesNoMaybeNot · 04/07/2022 21:26

TheVillageElder · 04/07/2022 21:16

No different to us all having to pay towards hsc. Education and the needs of children is the next biggest cost for the society. So if they're not contributing to the next generation physically I suppose they can do so financially.

My DH is teacher. We are contributing. But hey keep sticking the knife in.

HTH.

PaddingtonBearStareAgain · 04/07/2022 21:27

TheVillageElder · 04/07/2022 21:16

No different to us all having to pay towards hsc. Education and the needs of children is the next biggest cost for the society. So if they're not contributing to the next generation physically I suppose they can do so financially.

Critical thinking not your strong point then.

AffIt · 04/07/2022 21:30

TheVillageElder · 04/07/2022 21:16

No different to us all having to pay towards hsc. Education and the needs of children is the next biggest cost for the society. So if they're not contributing to the next generation physically I suppose they can do so financially.

As one of the childfree 'they' you so scathingly refer to who has been a net contributor my entire working life, may I respectfully suggest you take your opinion and shove it up your arse?

TruthHertz · 04/07/2022 21:32

Why actively try to increase the population when there's already far too many of us?

bigfootisreal · 04/07/2022 21:34

MercurialMonday
Studies have shown the difference is approx 6% so minimal.

Florenz · 04/07/2022 21:35

Ridiculous idea. Feckless breeders who have 5 or more children cost the country far more so than the childless. The onus should be on responsible reproduction, the ideal should be one child. No ban on further children but there should be policies that make it beneficial to have one child and no more.

Covidagainandagain · 04/07/2022 21:38

TheVillageElder · 04/07/2022 21:16

No different to us all having to pay towards hsc. Education and the needs of children is the next biggest cost for the society. So if they're not contributing to the next generation physically I suppose they can do so financially.

I've volunteered for years with children, including for several years specifically helping children in a care home. Their parents might have contributed to the next generation physically but I can assure you I contributed to their children's care financially and emotionally much more than they did.

hatchyu · 04/07/2022 21:42

Feckless breeders who have 5 or more children cost the country far more so than the childless.

🙄 too much daily mail reading me thinks

GoodThinkingMax · 04/07/2022 21:44

Given that childless adults subsidise everyone else via tax, Council tax, and NI, the idea is offensive.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 04/07/2022 21:46

At the moment it’s those having children who are overwhelmingly funding the existence of the next generation even though we all benefit from it

LOL. Who do you think is paying for your maternity leave, antenatal care, postnatal care, kids’ healthcare and kids’ education? Not to mention free/cheap public transport, child benefit etc etc. Childless people are more likely to work full-time and without career breaks, so contributing more in taxes. And that’s before we even get into the financial and environmental burden of over-population.

And don’t kid yourself that your children will pay it back in the long run. Well over 90% of people cost the State more than they put in.

I’m all for funding the next generation, in the interests of humanity, but you’re not doing me a favour by having kids -it’s the other way round.

Antarcticant · 04/07/2022 21:46

hatchyu · 04/07/2022 19:34

This is a good response & a sensible article on the issue

www.newstatesman.com/quickfire/2022/07/taxing-childless-insult-not-a-solution

Agree - a very balanced response.

thesurrealist · 04/07/2022 21:49

TheVillageElder · 04/07/2022 21:16

No different to us all having to pay towards hsc. Education and the needs of children is the next biggest cost for the society. So if they're not contributing to the next generation physically I suppose they can do so financially.

"They?"
I'm paying through my taxes. I've also worked as a teacher educating your children and now work in the NHS improving services for you and your children.
I'm a higher rate taxpayer and do not begrudge my taxes being used for your children's education, healthcare etc. It's the social contract, just as I have no problems paying for my dads state pension and my brothers benefits. Shit can happen to anyone.

However, as a childfree woman I have had to endure many comments from mothers (and yes it is women) about how I,m not a proper woman. I've had my holiday cancelled so a parent can have that time off. I've covered for parents having to leave early, mat leaves, supported women coming back to the workplace after mat leave.

I've done my bit and I've had enough. No more.

mellicauli · 04/07/2022 21:50

This is typical Trump Era divide and conquer thinking - setting Mums against non Mums (or Brexit v Remainers or Scottish Independence vs Union preservers, Immigrants v the rest), stir it up. sit back, let them fight it out and while you fill your boots. Come on guys, this is what they want. No one is going to tax childlessness. It's a stupid idea.

I actually question whether he can really believe in this. We - a few Mums without the benefit of several years research to hone our point or the resources of one of the richest universities at our fingertips - can see several serious and obvious flaws within an hour or so. Where is the rigour of thought? Did he not think it through at all - for 10 minutes even?

Spectre8 · 04/07/2022 22:10

As a single childless adult they can quite frankly fuck off if they think I will pay tax for not having a child.

Nothappyatwork · 04/07/2022 22:13

I have one child who would be a dreadful parent she manages herself and is able to be a contributing member of society without any responsibility but she could never be a mother she wouldn’t enjoy it and she wouldn’t understand that she needed to put somebody else’s needs first and would end up relying very heavily on state support. It certainly wouldn’t be financially beneficial to the state for her to have children.

HesterShaw1 · 04/07/2022 22:15

TheVillageElder · 04/07/2022 21:16

No different to us all having to pay towards hsc. Education and the needs of children is the next biggest cost for the society. So if they're not contributing to the next generation physically I suppose they can do so financially.

I am one of "them". I pay fuckloads of tax to support you and your children, if you insist on looking at it like that. I am contributing already thanks.

Bubblebubblebah · 04/07/2022 22:26

However, as a childfree woman I have had to endure many comments from mothers (and yes it is women) about how I,m not a proper woman. I've had my holiday cancelled so a parent can have that time off. I've covered for parents having to leave early, mat leaves, supported women coming back to the workplace after mat leave.

Yup. This is our tax. Already paid

Spectre8 · 04/07/2022 22:26

Will they tax disabled people who cannot have children? Or those with mental health issues? Cos techncially they are childless adults....

I mean this is how batshit crazy it is

CounsellorTroi · 04/07/2022 22:35

There isn't, the cliff edge was based on church records in france in 1700s when most women died about 35 hence the sudden drop. New studies show there is no cliff edge. Issues with fertility are largely down to other health factors.

Fertility does not suddenly stop, eggs do not become unviable overnight.

Ryah76 · 04/07/2022 23:21

just make it easier for those who have children to pay for childcare etc. Imposing a tax on people because they don’t have children is just ridiculous. I can’t have children, I wanted to but sadly it was not to be. What I don’t need is money taken off me due to inability to conceive. It’s heartless and cruel

feistyoneyouare · 04/07/2022 23:47

Bubblebubblebah · 04/07/2022 22:26

However, as a childfree woman I have had to endure many comments from mothers (and yes it is women) about how I,m not a proper woman. I've had my holiday cancelled so a parent can have that time off. I've covered for parents having to leave early, mat leaves, supported women coming back to the workplace after mat leave.

Yup. This is our tax. Already paid

Me too.
This tax is a disgusting idea on so many levels I don't even know where to start.

antelopevalley · 04/07/2022 23:49

This would cause a lot of conflict. It is a terrible idea.