Working expectations for parents on UC

[BlackCatGreyWhiskers]

AIBU to find this really frustrating? Basically there is no expectation for parents to work until their child is age 3. So if a family has more than one child that could be several years.

Whereas maternity leave is only 9-12months.

Especially as universal credit claimants can actually get help towards childcare expenses.

I don’t understand why there is a mismatch between the employed and unemployed?

When I went back after maternity, my pay was around £1500 and my childcare £800, then after I went back with my second my childcare went up to £1200. So I earnt next to nothing for 5 years before the eldest started school.

I think you’re misunderstanding how this works. The option IS there for everyone.

Your job won’t be waiting for you after 3 years, but the UC claiming unemployed mother also doesn’t just have a job waiting that she walks into after three years either? You’d both be in the exact same scenario, therefore that option is open for everyone.

If you want something MORE than the UC claiming unemployed mother (ie a job waiting for you) then you have to make some compromises to get that. The compromise is only having a year off.

If your household income is such that you don’t qualify for UC, I accept you end up with less than the UC claiming unemployed mother as you don’t get the UC payment, but presumably that’s because you earn enough not to need it and so you instead get time off that your DH pays for instead of the taxpayer.

That is the crux of it. Those who some people look at and think are 'well off' because on paper their salaries are £30/40k but actually due to high costs with no support they have very little wiggle room or disposable income end up subsidising everyone else. You can't afford to take more than 6m mat leave so you go back to work and your taxes pay for others to be off 3 years. You scrimp and shop at Aldi to buy your food, your taxes pay for school meals for everyone else.
It's exhausting being the squeezed middle and not much more 'fun' than relying on benefits.

No, it is NOT there for everyone.

@4pmwinetimebebeh

i want to buy you a glass of wine, you absolutely nailed it.

Is OP a single parent?

When my dc wad 2 I realised I was basically working to pay for nursery fees. It was a real kick in the teeth when a parent at the school I worked at told me they got 15 hours free for their 2 year old as feet funded to support her job search but she had no intention of finding a job. That’s when I left because I realised i was paying tax to support others but no one was supporting me! I think things have changed now that working parents can access earlier but seems to be a drop in the bucket. Seemed to me really short sighted as there are plenty like me who are realising this and quitting work and therefore the govt isn’t getting our tax.

I really hate how people think those of us in jobs that earn 30-50k have it good. We don’t. It’s hard work. I am stressed all the time. I have a mortgage but I worked my arse off to get it, and delayed having children. All so I can pay taxes which goes towards people who live off of the state (this excludes those with health issues or disabilities which mean they are incapable of working). Everything else was personal choice. Also, I have health issues now that I have to look after as well as working and maintaining a house. I barely have anything left over each month.

@PeonyPatch but we CHOSE this! Silly us x

Okay, thank you for responding.

This is entirely unrelated to UC and I can't see that option being viable, unless the government becomes everyone's employer.

If the government mandates 3 years of maternity leave, wouldn't businesses just stop employing women of childbearing age?

It comes back to the choice of 'do I want to continue working or do I want to be dependent on the State'. In any casr, the age at which the parent needs to return to work has reduced quite significantly over the years; so we will all soon be equal.

The only issue though is that if the government keeps reducing the age at which mothers on benefits return to work below the time off for statutory maternity leave; we may find statutory maternity leave starts decreasing in line with 'benefits age'...

Welcome to a system then, where every man and his donkey must return to work before our currently reasonable period of 'respite'.

If you can afford a nanny then you are very privileged.

Quit and go on UC. Jealous much......

I am one of those people and I am absolutely privileged compared to friends on UC! I have a secure home that will one day be fully owned by me, an asset that is increasing in value all the time and will mean I have something to leave my children one day. I earn enough to pay tax and so do my bit in providing the (increasingly holey) safety net that is there for those in a worse situation than me.
I have it good.

This isnt the point though is it- she is NOT privileged she has NO choice. Shes paying through the nose for childcare she needs to be in work and people on UC will be shrugging and saying 'lucky you', 'I'd rather raise my own children' etc. Its not fair that the burden of paying huge amount for your own childcare then taxes for others should fall to other people.

Because it’s not as easy as people think.

But the benefits bill is unsustainable already, so we need people in work. Everyone can’t take that attitude and just choose to be dependent on the state (which is dependent on others to pay in for you)

Yes this

@TwoFeralKids that’s not true. I was a nanny for 10 years and many are OFSTED (CIW if you’re in Wales) registered which means parents can claim help towards child care costs, just as they would with a nursery or childminder. Depending on how many children someone has it may actually work out cheaper than using a nursery.

It doesn’t mean that the poster isn’t spending a fortune on child care though, but it definitely doesn’t indicate that they are “privileged”.

I’m not saying anyone earning 30-50k has it good. It’s absolutely above minimum wage tho and minimum wage is better than UC or any other means tested benefit. I’m pointing out that the people who claim it especially those not working and living on it are a lot more unfortunate and that is the price they pay for those 3 yrs not having to work the OP appears to begrudge.

Paying for childcare is not a privilege. In my previous job I earned 1277 a month after tax. Childcare costs were 1100. Petrol to get to work was around 100 a month. So I worked my butt off, was totally exhausted to add 77 pounds to our joint income. It’s not a privilege, it’s soul destroying

But you have a house at the end of it - you're not paying a mortgage forever, you've made that choice. I'll be paying rent forever, because even though I earn 40k, I can't afford to live without claiming UC. My HA house, which is 'affordable rent' is £1500 a month, yet I can't get a mortgage.

Whilst I was pregnant I was working and claimed UC too. I got paid maternity pay from my job, maternity pay from UC and got the maternity grant of £500. I've enjoyed bringing my child up for 3 years without working (absolutely loved it) I now work part time and on UC to top my wage up. I get a good amount and live a comfortable life. I feel so sorry for working families having to balance money and childcare and not spend anytime with their children. I'm lucky and I love it

Yep, well said.

The childcare cost should be split, how could your partner work if you wasn't looking after your child?

You won't necessarily have anything to leave your children even if you do own a home, if you need care in older age it will all go on care fees. Unless you have a substantial pension income - currently fees are at least £1000 (if not nearer £1500) a week.
That's not to say you shouldn't be pleased to own your own home.
Downsizing pre retirement age, and giving reasonable monetary gifts to your children is a better way to pass down first generation inherited wealth these days 😉 Also you can enjoy your wealth with a few holidays/nice car etc.

Do you mind me asking how many hours you work a week? Are you very part time or almost full time? And is your decision to be part time influenced by being able to top up your salary with universal credit?