To think my universal credit feels generous.

[MoonBaby1]

I got to my early 40s without ever needing to claim but circumstances find me single and paying the lions share of child related outgoings.

I work full time on£31,000 and have found out this year thanks to applying that I get on average about £800 from UC. It has been an absolute life changer and will hopefully be able to afford a modest uk holiday actually during the summer holidays and pay the school back some debt im in for after school care.

So many benefits bashing threads so I just wanted to present another side that as a cash strapped mum of two who works full time, UC is making a positive difference to our life. I didn't even think id qualify!

I’m a firm believer that men who have children should be sent an invoice for 50% of the costs to give their kids the basics aka shelter, food, basic clothes, education trips and a little extra towards making life pleasant.

If a man isn’t able to pay it, the state does but it’s similar to any other debt with bailiffs/affecting credit rating and if that still doesn’t motivate them they’ve got to do community service or be tagged.

Unfortunately in this country you need two salaries to afford the basic costs of children.

But controversially I think men should be able to veto their parental rights before 20 weeks. Gives the woman the choice to abort or be prepared to do it alone. Then he can’t come demanding every other Christmas Day or the kid having his surname or pissed when the kid starts calling some other man dad.

Social housing was never subsidised.

So glad my hard earned tax is allowing all these UC claimants to take their kids on lovely holidays. Meanwhile the country’s debt is 3 trillion and rising.

I don't believe you, sorry. However, if it's true. how does this affect you?

The UC claimants didn't run up the debt.

Really? Who is Homes England and what is the £39bn they are allocating?

Debts for childcare, not nails and a new phone. HTH.

Haven't a clue because I don't live in England.

I don’t even get 31k!

If they can’t pay it - the state should allow them a 25 year loan set up like student loans so those men never lose sight of what those children have cost to bring up. No more feckless breeding with impunity. They need to pay for the whole 18 years that child is a minor. Multiple children, multiple loans paid out of wages or benefits.

Well then don’t comment on things you know literally nothing about. Social housing in the UK absolutely is subsidised, as it should be.

You might want to double check that.

That’s your decision. There are finer details I am choosing not to post online that are incredibly outing.

It is clearly triggering for you.

I don't have to.

Yes I agree that men should pay for their children, and should not be able to go and have more children if they refuse to pay. In fact I'm sick of tax payers having to pay because men won't take responsibility. We really need to get tough.

Also men should not be allowed to veto their rights. If they don't want children there is such a thing as contraception.

I earn just over £32k a year, i also get just shy of £700 each month from UC.

I believe that the allowance should be reduced. A person on UC, whether that’s top ups or sole source of finances shouldn’t be able to save for holidays, treats…etc.

Why would it be "triggering" for me?

😮 £700 a month? Wow.

I know right ! I should have churned out more kids !

That does sound like a lot. When I ended up a single parent I was on about £31k, and was still on the legacy benefit - I got the princely sum of £74 a month in child tax credit. No working tax credit because I was above the threshold, nothing relating to housing but then I owned my house outright. Things were tight, tight tight even without childcare costs.

I’m glad that UC is helping to support you. Unfortunately, I am not as lucky. I have 2 children and my income is a few thousand less than yours, but because I am self-employed I am subject to a minimum income floor, which means my claim is based on the assumption that I earn more than I do. Because of this, I would get less than £200 from UC a month.

However, because my business involves buying stock for customers I get nothing. For example, last month a customer paid £8000 for the parts I needed for their job. UC treats that as ‘income’. In fact, because of the amount involved, some of it carries over to the next month meaning I won’t get anything this month either. The money is now gone, the parts are installed as part of the customers job.

I am genuinely glad that the system is working to support you, but wish that there was also a little support available for me and my children.

I’m in the north and almost everyone I know earns £30K+. Yes, there are fewer well-paid jobs than the south, and people on NMW on insecure/part-time contracts are probably over-represented, but it’s not abnormal to be earning a couple of pounds an hour over NMW. Saying “Jobs are not the norm” is completely wrong given that 73% of adults are employed, against the national average of 75%.

So a child whose parent works full-time should endure a childhood with zero treats? If my taxes go towards a working parent being able to take their kids to Skeggy for a few days in the summer, I don’t have an issue with that.

I am single parent and receive £72 a month UC! I have mortgage so no help with housing and have a 5yr old but my mum does the school drop off/pick ups and holiday care although i try and take as much leave as possible in holidays. My daughters dad refuses to pay and so far CMS has only brought in stress

Probably because you’re not a miserable bitter person. Unfortunately lots are.