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!

So, we're using the Universal Credit for a caravan holiday?

I guess it's better than buying a battery-powered Dyson Vacuum, which I watched on a documentary about Benefits Britain.

Forbes estimates that Bezos paid about $2.7 billion in tax last year.

I can never tell if the people who say that billionaires don't pay tax are deliberately saying something ridiculous (not sure why?) or are so economically illiterate that they genuinely don't understand how taxation works.

Nope. No rage, and I don’t rely on anyone else but myself. Not everyone pays the same amount of tax but I am proud to have paid my way and bloody delighted that what I pay might have helped other people. But, massive change is coming. The horrific likelihood is that Reform will be the next government. We ALL need to plan for that.

And, how much will your ex-partner contribute to your holiday ....?

Being with a stingy man is nonsensical.

I agree with this. There will be plenty whose taxes pay for that holiday who can’t afford one themself.

He also refused to say what he would cut and has previously said (ie a few weeks ago) the welfare bill should be higher

I echo this.

The OP surely must be trying to rattle a few cages.

And the tax their companies generate

then they need to demand better pay or wages

still not enough reason to squeeze the workers wages that help make those profits

OP knew exact what she was doing with this post and goady title.

This. How this Country got into this situation that involves working people needing help in such numbers to keep a roof over their heads, and food in their children's stomachs, is a disgrace. People should be outraged, and letting it be known to the Government. Not attacking people verbally who find themselves in this situation. Housing, and utilities have been allowed to rise out of control, and as always the poorer members of Society are paying the price, more, and more. The system is breaking, and all the politicians do is speak a load of words, while the gas, and electricity prices just went up again a few weeks ago.

How does one demand better wages in this dire economy?

thats the point the economic system needs altering, capitalism based on how it was from the industrial era does not function for modern society. why should people be paid very little wages

Or the fathers should start paying for their kids instead of the taxpayer.

I’m very pleased the extra has helped and you’re able to take a holiday. It’s what you’re entitled to, at the end of the day.

how about both ?

Are they though? Genuine question. As I said upthread, less than 40% of UC claimants are in any kind of work. Of those that DO work, less than 11% work 30 hours or more. Are those statistic really reflective of a population working as hard as they can, and being paid unfairly?

31K is a decent salary. Has @MoonBaby1 said what the father is contributing?

What you have said makes no sense. If someone poorer then you can afford something then why can't you?

Meanwhile, what entitlements is the father getting? Why should the taxpayer keep funding in the cases of absent fathers?

at some point theres only so much £ people have to spend,
there are only so many companies that need to exist for society to run
then theres globalisation
so you either need a smaller population because the business cannot run without profits
or you somehow advance from capitalism or what ever system we have

I am reminded of the poster who was on £100k (might have been £150k) who was cancelling Netflix because they could not afford it anymore.

Ultimately, it is down to priorities. Someone on a very low income/UC could afford a modest holiday because they have cut back on other things.
From what I see on here, it seems people on low income/UC are better at budgeting and living within their means than some of the higher earners.

Maybe you should have stated a specific part of the NE in your first post? The north is massive and has many big cities, pretty much all of which have a ton of good public transport.

The high earners are paying more tax!