To think adding more child benefits is a pointless and futile policy?

[MelissaExplainsItAll]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/26/parents-under-fives-could-be-exempted-two-child-benefit-cap-uk

I think child poverty would be better relieved in ways other than giving the parents more cash.

For example:

• better funded breakfast and after school clubs
• better funded nursery hours (banning top up charges)
• expansion of free school meals
• better school funding
• direct funding of school holiday clubs

AIBU?

Oh this thread is bollocks.

Child Benefit is a pittance but on principle should be paid.

I support this policy proposal, because I oppose child poverty.

You have to have spare in order to save.

Many people don't have spare.

This is nonsense, just prejudice and money-grabbing dressed up as 'policy'.

The fact you are talking about child benefit makes me think you actually don’t even understand what this policy is about enough to support it or not.

There is no limit on the amount of children you receive child benefit for.

The policy is about the child element of Universal Credit, which is a totally different thing and does have a 2 child limit.

But we are not talking about child benefit, that's NOT limited to two children
It's the child element of universal credit ( and tax credits For those still on them that's limited to two children.

Oh apologies, I was typing distracted and didn't read properly!

I am in favour of the two child benefit cap being removed. It's a small number of people, the evidence is the money all gets spent, it will lift families out of poverty.

I was opposed to the introduction of the cap.

Sadly a % of society can no longer be trusted to care for their children properly. So I don’t think it’s appalling at all.

Yes I see that now, see above.

I was opposed to the cap when it came in, so support any unwinding.

And you think household income is a good indicator of that? Seriously?

We have no more money for benefits. The amount we spend on them is absolutely terrifying.

My brother is in Switzerland, in his canton he gets to deduct money out of taxes for each child. It is not capped. It is acknowledged that richer people should also have tax deductions for children, to incentivise them to have DCs and make work worthwhile. They also make men pay for all children they father apparently. so yes, that would be sensible policy making, we do not have that kind of thinking here.

Who made you judge and jury over others? This type of baseless judgement is unacceptable. You don't know many people at all, none of us do. Judging based on no knowledge is foolish.

I believe it’s the same in America. Makes sense to me.

I’m not judge and jury. I’m giving an opinion, same as everyone else. The fact is more and more children are entering reception very delayed and not properly cared for. This is having a huge knock on effect on the education system and benefits.

I agree with this.

Anyone who chooses to have a child they can’t afford to raise or house except in poverty, is by default a bad parent.

If circumstances change, of course that’s different.

As that chart clearly shows, the majority of benefits are paid to pensioners. It is just only a little bit over 10% of total spend which is paid to "working age and children". What about that is terrifying exactly? I agree there are issues where people in work are unable to afford the costs of living because wages are too low so need benefits to top up. Essentially these benefits are a subsidy to businesses but if you cut that subsidy (by raising wages) it would limit growth and lead to much handwringing. But 10% of the governments spending going to non-pensioner benefits seems about right to me. Even if you think its too much its hardly "terrifying".

Is being a rich arsehole better for a kid than being a poor and loving parent?

So many people have lost their humanity and decency. Money or lack of does not make anyone a good or bad parent.

Human life is about so much more than that.

The fact it’s more than we spend on education or the military? And also the fact it’s rapidly increasing with no sign of levelling off?

Mines £3.40 per hour, which is insane really. But you can guarantee that if the DfE confirms they intended to; or will, ban top ups, they’re going to either put up the day rate or stop accepting the funding.

I totally agree that money isn’t everything, but the fact is children need a roof over their heads, they need food to eat, they need clothes to wear, as an absolute basic. You do need money to provide those things.

You can be a bad parent for multiple reasons, you know. Arseholes make poor parents. People choosing to raise their children in poverty also make bad parents. It’s not mutually exclusive.

People posting here with accidental pregnancies are constantly told to think about the impact to their existing children. Is that irrelevant to those on benefits?

Agree.

Some households take in more than £60k in benefits a year. It takes the absolute piss.

Well of course, every one has an opinion, they are like arseholes.

But read the academic research into why problems happen in families.

Are you offering to work for free then?