I believe that the minimum wage should be enough to enable a working couple to feed and clothe a family of four and keep a roof over their heads.

[Mamarsupial]

I don’t think I am BU for a moment, interested to see how many agree with me.

It will never happen as long as there are in work benefits.

And where are the 2 children whilst the parents are working? Is childcare free?

Wholeheartedly agree.

Yeah, this used to be possible. I grew up in the 70s and 80s. My parents joint income was low, less than both parents on nmw, (was no national minimum wage).
Yet we had one weeks UK caravan holiday a year ( travelled by train which was not stupidly expensive and had a luggage carriage so you could take your holiday suitcases) presents at Xmas and Birthdays, bit of pocket money and shoes from Clark’s.

There was proper council housing then and that’s what made this possible really.

The current poverty of working families is a choice due to lack of affordable housing ( due to policy choices by governments) and one of the highest childcare costs in Europe, which is again a choice of government.

It doesn’t have to be like this.

Why does my DH basically slag me off to my Dc 6
so if we’ve had an argument or something he’ll start talking about me quite nastily to my dc 6 and he does it so I can hear too, this makes me so angry but I keep quiet for my dc sake. Why does he do this.
he makes me feel like a piece of crap I feel so lonely.

What’s you point? It’s not exactly an advert for how we want things to be today.

A lot of companies don't pay more for experience citing 'simplifying' their processes. I worked for a national company that removed the structure that paid experienced staff that took more responsibility more. Everyone from 16 yr old sat on checkout to experienced dept staff with 35 years experience who stood in for their line manager gets the same. Not everyone can move up. The companies know the government will pay the shortfall for some, others without dependants just have to get on with it. Entry level = low pay for most..no 'entry' apart from entry to lifetime of low paid jobs

I see minimum wage as an entry level job. Minimum wage is a place where you start and I would say the majority of people don’t start with a family of four to clothe and feed.

What do you do about the sorts of jobs that pay minimum wage to everyone, including those who have been in that job for years? Would you require employers to differentiate out their wages more, or should people who cannot get a job that pays more be required to keep switching jobs so they stay 'entry level'? I can see a case for the former but I bet the latter is what would happen!

Entry level job? So? Every full time job should be enough to pay for all of life's necessities! What is the point in work if you're unable to actually live on it?

Sorry just noticed that you included government support. I disagree there, I think government support should be there for people who can’t work full time e.g. disabilities or illness and that work needs to pay fairly.

I agree actually

I'm sorry you're having a rough time - but I think you meant to start/reply to a different thread! Didn't want you not to notice and to wonder why no one was replying.

NMW for 2 full time working adults + child benefit means a household income of just over £40k. In most areas this should be enough to meet the standards most posters say is a basic acceptable level comfortably.
The problems arise when we end up topping up household income for one parent to stay at home because child care costs make it anywhere from unattractive to impossible for both parents to work.

It’s a good point.. the former option would definitely be the way forward

School.

In my 4th year of teaching I am about to tip over earning £30 k a year.

All other wages would also need to rise.
All prices would need to rise too to pay for it, but if everyone earns more it might work.

Wow’. Look how expectations have lowered that the responding poster seems incredulous that two working adults should be able to have two kids, a three bedroom house, food, heating, a holiday, and Xmas and birthday presents!
As I said, we had this as children in a low income household!

Leaving aside those pesky years aged 0-4, a full time job is 9-5 and schools are ... not.

If they are under 3 then UC is picking up 80% of the cost. Meaning a monthly cost of 400 ish ( based on local childminder and day nursery rates)
If they are over 3 then they are paying roughly £100 a month in wrap around care...
Still leaves £600+ disposable income.
More than doable.

Thats a low ball for utilities and food (especially if including toiletries, cleaning materials and loo roll etc. £500 for clothes and shoes is £125pp - that won’t go for with growing children, school uniforms, shoes, sandals, winter boots and coats, underwear and general clothing.

Plus -

School lunches
School trips/dress down days
Any childrens activities
Car/tax/MOT/fuel
Window cleaner
Birthdays
Christmas
Halloween
Replacing any household appliances
TV license

From 8:30 until 5:30? They're not. And if they are you're paying £18 per day per child for that here and I don't live in an expensive area. Adds up.

@Mamarsupial

Because they didn't just say xmas.

They said holidays and saving and Xmas.

So no.

I dont really think all of that is doable on mw

@oviraptor21

What about preschoolers?

Up to 80%, so often much much less than that.

Oh and before/after school childcare!