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.

Thankfully it's also not up to you to decide which children are supported.

God forbid they get a job when they get hand outs!

Ooo, is that a personal attack @Morgenrot25 ? What has that got to do with this discussion please?

That’s what I was thinking too…

We need a complete change of attitude and to stop being so soft as a state.

OP, are you aware how some people haven't had the same opportunities in life as you? Much of the reasoning behind providing child based benefits and support is to attempt to reduce child poverty and child disadvantage. Supporting children helps them to make better choices as adults, especially when parental support is lacking

@PeonyPatch they making changes, increase the eligibility period - ie how long you need to have lived in the house and increase the clawback period from 5 to 10 years, plus reducing the discount. I’m not certain if these changes have been bought into effect yet but it’s certainly on the horizon.

It's a valid point.
Call it what you choose.

OP, are you aware how some people haven't had the same opportunities in life as you?

Gosh no, I’ve walked around with my head up my arse. Thanks for enlightening me.

It's just that you do seem quite unaware, and also seem so obsessed with some parents getting more than you that you're failing to consider the potential effects on children. It's not their fault which family they're born into.

I don’t think it’s a “valid point” I think you’re just being catty, personally. Come back when you have a proper argument.

Look up what percentage of revenue is brought in by income tax. Clue: not as much as people who go on and on about higher rate tax payers funding the scroungers would like us to think.

You've assumed incorrectly.
I suspected you'd been assuming this incorrectly quite early on, based on some rather odd comments.
What appears to set us apart is that I care for folk less fortunate than me.

@Morgenrot25 are you planning on moving onto the other points I’ve raised or does it not support your narrative to address those?

I don’t think throwing benefits (by way of Universal Credit) at the welfare cycle is the answer. There are other solutions that could be considered i.e. providing access to education and training, affordable and reliable childcare, mental health services, substance abuse services, community support etc. The less appealing it is to be on long-term welfare support, the better. It should be a temporary measure for most people, not something to be dependent upon.

Why do you think my family is so privileged. I’ve alluded to the fact that we have a child within our family who has profound SEN, so whilst we also work, we provide support (including financial) to them but receive none in return. Why do you think that makes us so lucky?

Your questions were pretty much all based on a wrong assumption. 🫣

I didn't say you were 'lucky'.
It's possible to have privilege in different regards, surely you know that. 🫣

I don't think throwing benefits would be the answer either, but being as we don't do that it's not a valid point. I also think benefits shouldn't be a long term solution, unless there's no other option.
Of course more is needed than money, but begrudging support (financial, access to learning etc) to kids in poverty is shameful.

Literally all you know about me is that I have a job and I’m not on universal credit, yet with that you’ve concluded I’m privileged.

I don’t think OP is “obsessed” with “other parents getting more.” I think, OP, raises valid points - to use your own language @Morgenrot25
I agree with her that there is a clear and obvious disparity in the support that those in receipt of UC as example get compared to those who have to work. It prevents someone like OP being able to spend time with their child - which is not only unfair, but also presents with a potential impact on her child.

It is a double standard in a way. I understand the resentment. It is somewhat punishing to those within the population who have made sensible family-planning decisions, and that’s unfair. We all have a right to having a family.

I would also like to reinforce that claimants on a low income / difficult circumstances should still be entitled to what they need to live and function, but it shouldn’t be at the detriment to mothers/parents who don’t get the same luxury of staying at home a little longer with their children…

You know nothing about me, yet you wrongly concluded I'm claiming benefits?
Actually, from what you have revealed you are privileged. Keep digging.

Good for you.
It seems you also have little idea about some people's lives and childhoods.

But they do have the same choice, the unemployed single mother with whom the specific verbiage about UC work expectation to work and the employed mother that has a partner, who earns high enough that they are not entitled to benefits.
The choice is - you take the financial hit and spend time with your child ( whether that's now or in the long term, planning for your future). Or you return to work and hope the long games plays off.
The single mother who chooses not to work then gets a minimal amount of benefit, nothing extra, no extra maternity pay and quite possibly benefit capped. They could work same as the mother in a partnership could. Nothing forcing either to return.

In this thread there seems to be a little of crossover of what people are describing as privilege vs what is earnt. Yes, parents earning a salary are lucky to have a job but they are also working hard to earn that wage. Your wage is not a privilege, you’re earning it.