To be angry about the new "free" nursery hours

[pimlicopubber]

We're not eligible for the new "free" hours starting at 9 months, because my husband is lucky enough to be earning over 100k. However, I earn far from that, so 2 sets of nursery fees are more than my salary. We live in London with 2 small children.

We are comfortable, but don't splash out, we shop at Aldi and don't own a car. Our salaries basically evaporate after paying rent and nursery fees, yet the government is treating us like we are the Kardashians when it comes to the marginal tax rate.

As a result of the "free" hours that don't actually cover nursery costs, our nursery increased fees for everyone, because they need to cross-subsidize the free hours. Also, the ratio of caregivers dropped from 1:4 to 1:5 and we can't move to a slightly cheaper nursery further away, because they have incredibly long waiting lists due to the huge demand. I'm thinking of quitting work, even though it will be damaging to my career in the long term.

AIBU to be disappointed and angry that a policy that was supposed to motivate people to work has an opposite effect for our family?

Yes that's very crap.

Our fees also went up in advance of the "savings". So in the end I'll be paying exactly what I was paying a month ago (1800 for one child)

As a result of the "free" hours that don't actually cover nursery costs, our nursery increased fees for everyone, because they need to cross-subsidize the free hours.

Yes, this was a really poorly-executed plan. So many nurseries around here have closed completely because they just can’t make ends meet.

Does he earn a lot more than 100k? He could increase his pension contributions by a little bit, to fall under the adjusted income limit, to allow you to still claim the tax free childcare?

One of you earns over 100k and you expect the less well off to subsidise you?

Don your hard hat, OP, those of us earning over £100k are the spawn of the devil on Mumsnet (that's even if we're to be believed)

No, they’re funding nursery support for everyone else, but being blocked from accessing it themselves.

Despite the fact OP can’t afford to work without it.

Not very pro-women to make it unaffordable for them to have their own careers and pensions because of their earnings of their husbands.

Aren’t they a team? With all income pooled? So they have plenty to afford this. It’s you being sexist thinking the cost of childcare should come from the woman’s income.

Another Tory policy poorly executed. Hope you’ll make your discontent felt on Thursday

Nope. Just well able to fund your own childcare.

Posted this on a similar thread yesterday OP, but the numbers for those interested:

The cliff edge removal of childcare support plus the removal of the personal allowance at £100k mean that over this, you might be paying an effective 100% tax rate on £20-40k of income.

Over £100k I lose:

1. Personal allowance. This means a 60% tax rate on earning £100-125k. I take home £9,516
2. Less tax-free childcare of £2k. I now take home £7,516.
3. Less 15 free hours at ~ £400 a month. I now take home £2,716.

So for £25k of income, I benefit to the tune of £2,716 a year. This without a student loan - with it would be worse.

Id like to have another baby but then I’ll basically earn £0 between £100-135k.

I’m starting to wonder if there could be a legal challenge to the government on this?

We’re in the same situation OP.

I work PT so my earrings are well under the threshold, but DH is comfortably over.

It’s maddening that one couple could earn £99k each and get the free hours. Why on earth isn’t it done on household income

Jealous much?

These threads are so very tedious.

It was always going to happen. The Scottish government aren't much better with their 1140 hours for all children ages 3/4/5. Both governments need to fund the funded hours properly. Allowing employers to pay their staff a decent wage that they deserve while covering costs properly. There is a work force crisis because it's low paid and long hours. The cost of energy, food etc doesn't help rising do much either.

Stick anything over 95000 a year into your pension. Sorted.

Can he not put the extra in his pension?

Not remotely. I’ve never earned close to that and never felt the need. Perfectly happy with my life, thanks. Just think these ‘woe is me I earn more than the overwhelming majority but it’s not fair I don’t get subsidised’ threads are tedious. And, actually, demonstrate jealousy.

Your joint salary is over £125,000. That is quite a lot. I'd rather state subsidies go to those earning less than half that.

That’s a cop out. Pay for the stuff you can afford. Honestly, people on benefits are criticised for wanting free stuff - this is way worse.

Well in a few years you won't need childcare and you'll be laughing.

Surely, as a family unit, it's your combined income that matters. Or is your DH expecting you to meet the childcare costs alone?

The other option is your partner could go part time to reduce his salary. Mine works four days now so saves a day of childcare and when combined with an increased pension contribution, is under the 100k threshold.

She doesn’t say what her salary is

This is what the nurseries do.... the more the government try to help families they put up fees to take it for themselves.... same happened with my daughters nursery. Was paying 860 with no funding and still paying 640 with funding and more on school holiday months so they were not even dividing up the hours over the year.

OP I'm sorry you have no help with the fees are you eligible for tax free childcare and are you using it?

This is the best idea. I’m on maternity leave and it’s works out better I go back part time (4 days) rather than my husband because then we are under the threshold. Prior to all the free hours etc. the plan was always for my husband to go part time.

YANBU. It’s crap. We’d be better off if OH earned less which is nuts.