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.

Because how is it fair that some have to work full time to subsidise others who choose to do the bare minimum. I’ve a three year old and a one year old and no family help also, it’d be lovely to do all the school runs etc. But fundamentally I believe in working and contributing. We want a country with services and free healthcare and education, and we need to pay for it. It’s not fair for some to opt out, but still expect all of the same services, and then on top of that to take extra money when they’re capable of working

Actually the public didn't support the proposed benefit cuts.

https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/52470-britons-are-opposed-to-cuts-to-disability-benefits-as-starmer-bows-to-backbenchers

It's misleading to say the "harder left" forced the government U turn. The proposed cuts weren't based on consultation with disabled people or organisations and MPs who resisted them knew that if they went through, it would lead to the loss of many seats.

Reform are incredibly unlikely to form a government in four years time and if they do it's more likely to last a month than a term before collapsing. So there's no immediate need to speculate on what they'd do.

Exactly true!!!

We now have 51 percent of households accessing benefits. So those households who don’t claim are he minority.

If that’s an accurate figure that’s shocking.

Who knows? I'm questioning whether what we have now is inevitable rather than formulating policy... But someone with a sharper mind than mine could certainly come up with something!

You’re overlooking the 14% of UC claimants who are LCWRA (unable to work through ill health) or the 28% who are caring for a disabled child - 42% of all claimants. These numbers don’t include claimants who are caring for other family members than their own child.

That’s a vast majority of claimants (79%) who are either working, or who couldn’t work even if they wanted to.

Where it is a 2 parent family, one parent is expected to seek full time work, the other parent is meant to return to part time work as soon as their dc turns 3, prior they can be sent on courses eg cv prep

State debt. Government debt.
I don’t mean your personal Provdent loan or your Freemans catalogue 🤣

Because for you to not work FT and taking time for yourself and care for each other, someone else has to work FT, but is unable to care for themselves or care for others because they’re working, that’s the issue. Nobody can have something for free without someone else doing something for free.

Under the current system. Open your mind! Look up and see what could be possible if we weren't slaves to exploitative and damaging systems.

I was actually planning to increase my hours but a possibly SEN child has put paid to that for a year but please continue to label me lazy.

It is sponging if she said she’d rather have the UC top up than get her ass off to work 😂

They don't have to do any of these things if the partners earns over the AET. I haven't been contacted since my youngest had his third birthday.

State debt, wtf you on about
You make me laugh
It's called UC and I get it because I can. Enough said

This thread is depressing. Makes me wish I could opt out of the social contract.

I work part time and get UC too. You should try it and spend more time work your kids. I feel so sorry for you.

The argument that young children are better off at home lacks nuance.

• There are some families where that simply isn’t the case. In some cases, early years education provides a much better platform than the one provided at home.
• There is a direct correlation between income and outcomes. Families reliant on benefits lead to worse outcomes.
• If one parent can afford to stay at home because of one high earner that can be optimal. But that family wouldn’t need benefits.

My view - being on benefits shouldn’t be a lifestyle choice. If I choose to have children, I am committing to paying for them. Sure, if something unexpected happens there should be a safety net. But otherwise - I should be providing for my own family.

You don’t know what I do for work darling, I spend loads of time with my babies without sponging off the gov 😘

🫣🫣🫣

Aww darling. Like when??? Half a hour in the morning and a hour at night.
I would hate to have your life.

Oh dear!
I think it's probably a good thing you are only "working" half the time!

My son is at school. I work part time and claim UC BECAUSE I CAN, THE SYSTEM ALLOWS ME TOO. Are you really that thick. I spend loads of time with my son. I'm enjoying life. Try it hun

You are getting universal credit because your income is so low. I’ve always wanted more for my family together with the example I’m setting my DC’s.

I get it topped up so I get quite a bit each month without paying a lot of tax.
I dont have the stress of working full time and missing out on my sons life

Some people can't afford to work part-time as much as they would like to.