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.

@TwoFeralKids i went self employed to get a greater degree of flexibility, ability to take leave and work around my family. I’m not sure how you’ve concluded that’s been a negative for me. The figures I’ve quoted are from 2020 when I was salaried 🤦‍♀️

Again, who are you to decide who is deserving? 🫣

A lot of people work and keep working upwards not just to survive but because they want things. So most of the people moaning about benefit claimants having something that they don’t won’t quit their job because they know deep down that working is what gives them the things that they want.
The problem is they want everything: the mortgage, the 2 cars, the holiday, the wedding etc etc while also wanting more time with their kids. They even want the free school meals and the free club places just because they’re unhappy that someone is getting something that they’re not.

It's really not.
Unless dire has changed meaning recently.

Absolutely agree with this.

What have you learned from this thread OP?

This is a discussion forum!

Exactly!

“But I want what those Poor people have!”

Yes, I'm aware of that.
The question stands though.

How is it not? The housing market become more difficult for everyone. Getting onto the property ladder has become more difficult. Please explain why you think it’s unique to UC recipients if that’s what you’re suggesting?

I have no idea if you’re goading or not, but it’s always good to reflect and especially useful when you’ve imitated a discussion about shared experiences.

I don’t really know how to summarise the thread - I’ve learnt that there’s 51% of households on some form of benefits which has shocked me as I expected them to be much lower.

Not really learnt an awful lot else. But enjoy a sensible discussion!

I work because that was the natural progression in my life. I was raised to be educated and pick a career path. Honestly never occurred to me to not work, I’ve always held the belief that it’s your own personal responsibility to work unless you can’t because of sickness and disability. My parents both worked. Those were our values.

If it was a case of picking and chosing whether to work or not the country would collapse - which is what we’re seeing.

All that said, I am also acutely aware I won’t get these years back with my kids and have always felt the pull of needing to work vs giving my children the absolute best start.

Exactly!
“But I want what those Poor people have!”

In my opinion it comes down to fairness. It currently feels 'fair' to those receiving benefits and not 'fair' to those who are working. Regardless of how people feel it's not sustainable as it is. Most people working and contributing no matter how tight things are understand it is fair and right to support those with disabilities, those with children with additional needs etc etc. But not fair to support those who would prefer to be off work/work less to have time with their kids.

Which is where the grandparents really ought to come in to play.
I’m acutely aware that I have more earning power than my children for doing less work.

And so I will either work to pay for their childcare or give the girls the equivalent of the cost of childcare is their contribution into the family pot so that they can stay at home with their kids for a few years.
I feel really sorry for women who don’t have that level of family support.

"I was raised to be educated and pick a career path." And you are lucky, a lot of people aren't.

My parents never ever mentioned a career, university or how to earn money. I ended up winging it badly and never succeeded. My attempt at OU had to stop due to my child's SEN. I simply couldn't juggle work, dc's and studying.

Absolutely agree. It's amazing what people take fro granted so much so they just assume everyone has been raised the same as themselves.

This is the issue. Low paid full time work shouldn’t leave you in penury

Of which 12% claim UC https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/universal-credit-statistics-29-april-2013-to-9-january-2025/universal-credit-statistics-29-april-2013-to-9-january-2025

The biggest benefit bill is pensions

@bumblecoach and yes the difficulty is that alot of Grandparents are either still working or not physically able to care for young children at the point they retire. My parents struggle with my kids all day whilst I work, they’re both 68.

My parents have always worked too and up until I became a mum, I shared those same values that “working is the only way.”
If there is a rule that says a parent can stay at home with their babies until they are 3, the people who want to do that will do that. If a working person sticks their nose up to that and says, “No that’s against my values” then that’s on them. But lots of us did it and I am glad that I did.

Well, yes, the cycle continues. Bad decision after a bad decision. Leading to shit lives for both the children and the grandchildren.
That’s a shame.
Most of the grandparents don’t seem to acknowledge their part in the poverty cycle that they manage to get away with to an extent due to sheer luck.

@Rootsdarling2 you’ve made an assumption I’ve made assumptions. I’m not naive to other people’s differing circumstances.

I think the reality is you’d have people doing part time work for not much money, paying child care fee plus UC and it’d cost more.

Yeah it’s about it being cost effective, not what’s best for children’s upbringing.

7.5 m households claim universal credit. The spend on working age universal credit is roughly 12% of the total government spend on everything. Pensions and benefits for pensioners is about 1% higher than benefits to working age claimants.

The amount spent on working age universal credit is more than the spend on education for example