To wonder why UC claimants don’t have to work until their babies are three, when virtually everyone else has to?

[SeeYouLaterCrocodile]

I don’t know anyone who’s stayed off work until their kid was three. The vast majority go back after a year because that’s what they can afford. Why should they be working to pay tax for the jobless to stay at home for thrice as long?

I'm so sick of these benefit bashing threads.

Thanks, I am unclear how UC works but I do know there is no reason at all why she couldn't work.

I'm holding down 2 jobs at nearly 60 with a cancer diagnosis and multiple other health issues. I have to work as I do know my mortgage wouldn't get paid on benefits.

It does grind my gears somewhat.

languish on state handouts

🙄

Just to add the vast majority of people on UC work, like myself. I'm a single parent and full time carer for my Son. According to UC there is no requirement for me to work, but I do, because I enjoy it.

In Denmark they get the same ML as everyone else. Then they're expected to find childcare, which is guaranteed in some counties. It is massively subsidised though, and if you're a low income family you pay even less.

I wish we could have a thread bashing big companies or wealthy individuals who avoid paying tax. Threads like this which scapegoat the poorest are a poor attempt at deflecting attention away from the real financial baddies in our society.

Criticising women who want or need to look after their babies rather than thinking about how much HM tax office is owed from Amazon etc FGS 🤬

Yes all new parents do this languish 🤔

Don't work then? No one is forcing you to.

Families on UC are on a bloody low income to qualify - contrary to what these ridiculous threads claim, no one on benefits is raking it in.

FWIW, I'm not even defending myself here - I'm self-employed and when I had my (premature) twins, I had to go back right away to prevent my business collapsing. But I absolutely defend the right of any mother (or father) to only work part-time or not at all, until their child is three and receives full childcare.

There are plenty of mums who would probably love to get back to work but the reality of a lack of free childcare and child-friendly jobs makes it really hard. If you've got both available, then all power to you. But not every woman does. And I think it's excessive to pile on the pressure - as a society, I think we can cut these families some slack. It's a relatively short period - from when the child reaches the age of three, the mothers will be subject to the same expectations as others on UC.

Work coach here - you cannot chose to homeschool and not be expected to work search. You would only have work searching switched off if the child could not get a school placement.

parents are contacted when their child turns a year old - and 3 monthly work focused appointments are arranged. We will explore up skilling and child care. This is increased to monthly once the child turns two. Then work searching or attending courses for 30 hours a week when the child turns three.

Lack of childcare is an issue where I am as is work available that fits with childcare options. Not everyone has family support or the network. Many jobs require complete flexibility - particularly retail and hospitality.

I encourage my mums to upskill, upskill and up skill and get volunteer work under their belt.

I think you need to take your judgemental head out of your arse and Educate yourself. Stay at home parents certainly do not sit on their backsides all day.

Once your child is 1 on UC you start having interviews to prepare you for returning to work. The focus has been getting parents into work for a long time I signed on for income support once as I had a 3 month gap between finishing work and starting at uni my child was 1 and I was asked in for work preparation meetings

@Fifthtimelucky You are correct, it was 16 in the past. That used to make for some interesting conversations - staff who qualified for just 3 months paid maternity leave at the time interviewing mothers of strapping 16 year olds who were unhappy about returning to (or starting) work.

Labour are slashing the welfare bill. I reckon they’ve let some of their office loose on here to stir up hatred against benefits claimants.

This 100%

It was likely linked to the free childcare hours at 3, now I wouldn’t be surprised to see it lowered to 9 months in line with the new hours coming in from then.

I'm on universal credit and went back to work when child was 7 months old?! Full time and this was in the days of no funding till 3 years?

It's been absolutely relentless on MN today with the benefits and disability posts.

Yes 👆

A lot of woman on low incomes get stuck in the childcare trap.
When I went back I could only afford 3 days a week for mine, and when I deducted commuting costs, I was pretty much working for nothing. And I earned a good salary.

If childcare costs as much or more than they earn, then I suppose it makes sense to stay home.

Thank you for the explanation, child in question is 13, there are no childcare issues here, no SEN and no health conditions. Mum is very bright despite leaving education at 15 to have children. I'm probably missing a part of the puzzle but I see no reason why even part time work isn't being achieved.

Constant benefit bashing threads today, what sad lives people lead to feel the need to punch down so frequently.

I am sure MN will do absolutely nothing about this stigmatising, discriminatory and goading threads as per usual.

It's not benefit bashing to ask questions about the reasons why some benefits are paid.

OP do you have to be so judgemental?
It’s not like the mothers are doing nothing they are looking after very young children.

But we can’t punch down on low earners or parents of disabled kids then if we hold the actual problems in society accountable.

I have considered starting a thread bashing tax dodging but ultimately it’ll just end up being the fault of a lass named Leanne with 3 kids who works in Tesco 16 hours a week why the country is in the pan.

Because you do not get help with childcare costs until then. How do you propose someone works minimum wage and pays for nursery?