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.

The OP was about parents claiming UC not being expected to work until their child is 3 - ie 3 years of maternity pay, essentially. Whereas working Mothers are expected to return when their child is 9-12 months and the inequality of that stance. As others have said - what’s right for one child in terms of their primary carer being home should be right for another. There’s a clear and unequivocal difference the expectations of UC claimants and employers mothers.

That and that alone was the basis of the discussion - the OP of which you have not once engaged with, instead arguing about other irrelevancies. Why, I don’t know. But perhaps your could share your thoughts on that.

Should all parents have the right to stay home with their parent until they’re 3 years of age. Should that be legislated for? Or should all parents be encouraged to returned to work when their child is 9-12 months.

If not, why? What is the difference between the two sets or children?

It might make sense to her. Perhaps she loves her job and has a great work life balance.

I pay around 1/3 of what my employer pays into my pension. Can’t remember the exact figures but a quick google:

The amount you and your employer pay towards the pension depends on:

• what type of workplace pension schemeyou’re in
• whether you’ve been automatically enrolled in a workplace pension or you’ve joined one voluntarily (‘opted in’)

Example You’re in a defined contribution pension scheme. Each payday: you put in £40 your employer puts in £30 you get £10 tax relief

so your total pension contributions will be much higher than the ones you pay. When dh went self employed we saw a FA who said to match the contributions of his workplace he’d need to pay in £600/month- he was on about 40k at then point.

It was similar under tax credits. I wasn't able to give up work with small children despite my ex leaving. Tax credits paid for over 12k of childcare a year for me for 3yrs. I will never earn enough to pay even a pittance of that back.
Would have been cheaper for my health and my child with SEN for me to be a SAHP.

Working mothers are not expected to return. They have the right to return but they aren’t penalised if they don’t. SMP doesn’t have to be repaid. As people have told you already, they can choose to quit if they wish.

So only unemployed claim UC? Ignorance is bliss!!

Aren't you 'the OP'?
Why are you using the third person?
Everyone does have the right to stay at home, OP chose not to.

If not, why? What is the difference between the two sets or children?

It’s simple. The government funds UC. Your employer funds SMP. Anyone (including you) could choose to stay at home for three years on UC. But your employer, quite understandably, wouldn’t be prepared to pay SMP for three whole years and get nothing in return.

My daughter is a single parent of an 8 and 3 yr old. She is on UC and would love to be able to work but cannot afford it. Her rent for a 2 bed flat is £1275, then she has bills to pay and food to buy. She now gets the free hours at nursery but didn't for a long time. She literally has no money left at the end of the month and we help by subsidising her which we really cant afford either. So its up to you which way you go, but its not all roses when on UC.

Opening post, rather than opening poster?

Can you share what you’re claiming and your employment status so we can respond accordingly? Since you’ve made this about me rather than the wider context?

You made it about you by creating a false narrative and attempting to benefit bash. 🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣

This. I'd have them in once their kid is a year, and make affordable nursery provision more available (or free for those who really can't afford it)

@Morgenrot25 that’s absolutely fine, but why should the state pay for it?

There's lots of perks the 'state' pays for but I guess it's more fun for some folk to bash those at the bottom.

@cadburyegg me and my partner both work and don’t get 85% childcare paid.. 20% off the bill from the gov 😂 so where sorry?

No dad(s) in the picture?

It should never pay not to work.

Housing cost seems to be the main issue for your daughter though and there’s just not enough council homes for those who want them now.

You've pushed a narrative that isn't factual, several times.

You understand the “state” is funded by the tax payer?

Because it costs them more if the mother returns to work. Forcing them into work and making the taxpayer pay an even bigger bill would be cutting society’s nose off to spite its face.

It’s threads like this that make me long for the ability to block certain posters!

So you keep saying and yet when I ask you to clarify how or justify your statements you haven’t been able to with any certainty.

This is it, ultimately.

Some people cost more to society by working than they were unemployed.

It’s tricky. I have a primary-age DC with autism and SEN. I claim DLA and carers allowance but I have seen many posters on mumsnet insisting people in my position (eg child is at school all week) don’t really have a real reason not to work. However, finding a job with the required flexibility has been pretty much impossible for me. Most employers, rightly or wrongly, don’t want people with those limitations.

I can imagine a single mother to a toddler/toddlers, who has them in nursery for a limited time on some weekdays is probably not going to be top of the list to employ.

Not over the course of that persons lifetime. Pregnant then screwed has some good data in that respect.