To wonder why child benefit doesn't get the same "triple lock" (or even double lock) protection that Pensions get?

[escapegoats]

I just asked AI to calculate how much child benefit we would get if it had also had the protection of a triple lock and it would be around £230 every 4 weeks for 2 children . Currently I get £179

Surely instead of all the tinkering type policies Labour could come up with some initiatives like this?

Totally agree, they pick and chose, it’s should the the same uplift for all government benefits

As well as all tax allowances thresholds :)

The justification tends to be that in theory pensioners have no other means to raise money, whereas for working age adults it is different

Children don't vote.

I also can't understand why they don't apply it to public sector salaries. We have had below inflation increases every year for over 15 years now. Despite climbing the career ladder it feels like our quality of living deteriorates. We work really hard and we know we make a difference but for the responsibility we have there should be some disposable income left

Agreed!

And SMP - it's a tiny amount and many companies don't pay anything over the statutory minimum.

That's a really good point
Statutory sick pay too

Child benefit isn't the main source of income for parents. I'm not defending the triple lock btw, I would get rid of it, merge tax with NI so pensioners contributed the same rate (that would include me).
There used to be tax allowances for children that might be fairer, and raise all tax thresholds instead of tinkering with benefits.

I wouldn't disagree with that approach..

But after 15 years of frozen or below inflation public sector pay rises, plus the same in terms of barely increasing CB, plus tax thresholds that stay stationary, it's hard not to want someone to acknowledge the discrepancy in their policies

I don't disagree, and I'm a state pensioner.
However, as a pp said triple lock was to stop oap's from falling behind when they have no other means of increasing their income.
My dm is 91 and on v. low income.

What i don't understand is if state pension age is 67 why do 60 plus get free prescriptions. I'm better placed to afford them than my dc who have nursery fees etc. to pay.

State pension is not a benefit. You can’t compare the two.

Where do you think all this money is going to come from? You’re lucky that there’s any child benefit at all tbh. There might not be in future given the state of public finances. Too many people expect the state to pick up the tab for everything.

Universal credit has gone up higher % than pensions btw.

The triple lock was created in 2010 because the uk's state pension was dangerously low and pensioners were struggling to even manage the basics. The intention was to gradually bring the pension up to a liveable level. The govt of the day couldn't afford to do it in one big jump.

That objective has been achieved over the last 15 years, so it is now reasonable to ease back on annual increases, given the CoL crisis affecting all age groups.

Given I work full time (plus two extra jobs and volunteering) despite grinding chronic illness it's definitely not a case of expecting the state to pay for everything. It's just a case of feeling there needs to be some rebalancing.

My salary and CB have been continually eroded by below inflation pay rises. I already do two additional jobs that luckily I can do mainly from home. Bar a miracle cure I can't work any more than that.

Growing old isn't a choice. Don't turn on old age benefits. If we're lucky we'll need them one day.

I’ve always thought child benefit was very low! Mine barely covers one older child bus fares and 3 lots of school dinners!!! Never mind anything else!!!!!

In Ireland it’s about £470 for 4 children. €140 euros a month per child, no reduction for 2nd+ children which I’ve always felt was wrong with British child benefit. Definitely needs some changes.

I'm not turning on old age benefits. I would just like to see some parity in the system

Because you choose to have children and can work. You don’t choose to get old and can’t work.

I would link the state pension to the price of gas as that's where the bulk of my pension goes

I think many private sector employees are in the same boat.

Private sector inflationary pay rises are a thing of the past!

I had no idea it was that high. Do UC claimants with kids get that on top of the UC?

Pensions should increase by the same percentage as all other state benefits.