Labour are lifting the 2 child benefit cap

[PuppyKeep]

AIBU that this is a terrible decision?

Sure Start centres were brilliant. We should surely also be looking at getting a scheme like that up and running again? I do agree that some families are trapped in a cycle of no / low wages and I do agree that the kids raised in these conditions are causing huge social problems. I just don't agree that the solution is to vilify them. They need help to halt the cycle and the first step for that is to make sure basic needs are met - and that does involve directing some taxes there.

Although you've come across some anecdotally, the research suggests millionaires don't tend to move for tax purposes. It's a widely spread media narrative which benefits the rich. "Ooh - don't make us pay more, we'll leave!". Go on then. And then on the whole, they don't.

taxjustice.net/press/hmrc-data-debunks-uk-non-dom-exodus-claims-ft-reports/#

That’s for their parents to figure out.

On a more positive note, there seems to be widespread agreement that a gambling tax would be a good thing? I think it's a great idea.

Yes they should certainly introduce this. But I think an increase in VAT to 25% will be the answer they come up with.

No it isn’t. It’s bloody unbelievable that a site aimed at parents has such contemptible views. Thatcher really did leave a hell of a legacy, she was wrong - there is such a thing as society.

And if they don't? What will happen to the children?

Well that’s some much-needed motivation for them, isn’t it? Self-responsibility and self-reliance is the answer.

This is some pantomime level villainy! Yeah, screw the kids. Your fault for being born to parents on benefits, you little toe rags!

Never mind the children then, their fault for choosing 'feckless' parents

Shall we bring back the poorhouses as well?

No it’s not. How do you think that works for people who are ill or disabled? It’s appalling that people in a supposedly civilised country hold those worse off through no fault of their own in such contempt.

Loads haven’t moved yet! It takes quite a bit of time for them to move. The people I spoke to haven’t moved yet as they have children and have to sell property etc

i’d be really interested to see the figures in 5 years time.

So, the gambling tax will pay for this now, it's not going on the £40bn pound of additional and unfunded spending? It won't secure the welfare bill as it currently is?

Ah, it hasnt happened YET, same with the PS exodus

You'd think they would have been better prepared.

Where does it leave the children? Up to the parents. Get a job, get 2, but don't go taking money from other people paying to bring up their own children.

PS exodus has started. Otherwise why would 55 schools have closed and 16K children left the sector between Sept 24-July 25.
Labour predicted 54K over the 5 years of parliament, we've already seen 16K in the first year! Awaiting Sept 25 census results but overall schools are reporting rolls are down 8-10%.

Here's the research - LSE found that the super rich have no intention of leaving the UK and would "never" do so for tax reasons - not just that they haven't managed to put things in place yet.

https://www.lse.ac.uk/news/latest-news-from-lse/a-january-2024/super-rich-unlikely-to-leave-uk-for-boring-and-culturally-barren-tax-havens

I wonder if it's more common with the "squeezed" middle who might grab opportunities abroad to cling to living standards and avoid tax (I know people who have done this too - for a few years, then they come back for schools, culture etc). The richest people in our society can afford to prioritise where they most want to live rather than needing to consider financial implications. They can afford to pay a lot more tax!

Funny how there are more PS in 2025 than in 2024

The PS board on MN is very active as well

A yearly closure of 50 schools is the average, not new.

You seem pro Labour in this and tax and spend posts. Do you think their NI policy was good too? Business confidence is very low.

They weren't universal though.

Fuck off with your gaslighting. You are trying to do what Labour have done to obfuscate the facts.

Here is the data.

The issue is that state funded SEN specialist schools are included in the data which skews it.

The yearlty average is 40 schools closing per year.

You talk about how we shouldn't demonise the poor yet you are perfectly happy demonising and 'othering" children who just happen to go to the wrong type of school.

It's ridiculous. And the monetary value of other things that the person on 70k won't get shouldn't be overlooked, free school meals, lack of childcare costs, prescription costs covered etc all make a difference and now they're saying they will also increase help for low income students going to university.

I don't want any child living in poverty but I am concerned that removing the cap will mean that those on benefits will be so much better off than those who just earn too much to claim and those children will then be the ones in poverty instead.

I wouldn't blame anyone in those circumstances who left their decent paying job and started working limited hours for much less, and claimed benefits to top up their salary.

Aren't you nice.

There is no PS exodus. Pay the VAT and stop whinging about the 2 child benefit cap being lifted.

Pay up, pay up. No wonder Labour are doing badly.

PS is a choice

Being born in poverty isn't.