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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be annoyed RE healthy pregnancy grant

263 replies

RedRedWine1980 · 18/05/2010 13:10

Especially as someone on facebook has mentioned going to Zara to spend it....is this just another ridiculous waste of public funds or what?

OP posts:
lovechoc · 18/05/2010 14:32

I'm buying an infant carrier seat with the money and other pieces for the baby. Didn't get one with last child but getting one with this pg.

xkaylax · 18/05/2010 14:33

No i think its silly

sorry re read it then.

xkaylax · 18/05/2010 14:34

No i think its silly

sorry re read it then.

LaTrucha · 18/05/2010 14:55

I thikn vouchers / weekly amounts might have got what they intended more easily but would have been too expensive to deliver.

It seems to me like a bright idea that was worth investigating, but when costs and problems were revealed, shouldn't have really got through to implementation.

I'm a Labour supporter but they did seem to fall into this sort of trap too often.

YoMoJo · 18/05/2010 15:00

mine paid for my double buggy

But yes a complete waste of public funds

YoMoJo · 18/05/2010 15:01

Oh and although applied for it whilst pregnant DS was born before it arrived (I remember there was about a 3 month backlog)

nappyaddict · 18/05/2010 15:27

It should be means tested and also in voucher form. Does anyone think it is wrong to use it on breastfeeding stuff or a freezer though as these are related to food unlike prams, cots, clothes etc.

biddysmama · 18/05/2010 15:31

not wrong.. but i have boobs so i'm ok for breastfeeding stuff

MadamDeathstare · 18/05/2010 15:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MumNWLondon · 18/05/2010 15:35

I agree - think idea of free swimming or exercise / yoga classes a good one. Or locally sourced vegetable box? Or vitamins?

Its not even means tested....

nappyaddict · 18/05/2010 15:38

biddysmama I mean stuff like nursing bras/tops/pjs, nursing pillow, pump, one of those things you put in bed to make it safer to co sleep or a bedside cot.

StrictlyTory · 18/05/2010 15:39

How come everyone knows it going on Monday? Isn't the budget 5 weeks away?

Pootles2010 · 18/05/2010 15:44

I think they're announcing cuts on Monday. May have that wrong though.

mamatomany · 18/05/2010 15:50

We went wild and blew ours on the electricity bill

You shouldn't need a bloody grant to get by and yet so often you do.

Gibbon · 18/05/2010 15:50

I am spending mine on a facial, massage and pedicure.

Doodleydoo · 18/05/2010 16:35

Gibbon, if I get mine I might just do that to keep me sane and healthy even though I am slightly that I am saying that but then I suppose it makes up for the £20 I have just spent on Fruit in Tesco (and yes some of it was precut before anyone jumps on me but I really wanted pineapple and I am at work.......) I won't mention the box of 12 mini choc muffins that went with it and which now only have 3 left. I know don't shout at me for being unhealthy but there is only so much fruit the indigestion can eat!

biddysmama · 18/05/2010 16:40

lol nappyaddict, i was being silly

Doodleydoo · 18/05/2010 16:51

I tell you it may come in useful for breastfeeding food though - I seem to remember not being able to stand up without passing out if I didn't have chocolate - those lindt red ball things - that is probably when I would need the grant more......and seriously I really couldn't bf without the chocolate fix! Might have been psychological but my dd also fed better when I had chocolate

DDDixon · 18/05/2010 16:56

I think it's misnamed but it was a godsend to us, our "cheap" carseat and base was £115 ffs! They could rename it as some sort of car seat grant, they are mega expensive and are pretty vital for your baby's health if it's ever going to travel in a car.
We aren't on the breadline but £190 was a big big help - I paid for my pushchair with it, which meant I could get a rear facing (that I desperately wanted) model and have my baby benefit from that.

"Health in pregnancy" is a bit late when they only pay it after 26 weeks, though I have to say mine came through really fast.

I don't think swimming etc vouchers would be a fair swap, I am dependent on public transport when my OH is working and I wouldn't have been able to use swimming or yoga as I couldn't get there or arrange the time off work to go during the day.

Do agree that it should have been means tested maybe in line with WTC and CTC levels, I wouldn't have minded having a bit less (we qualify for one but not the other) so that those with less could have a bit more iyswim, but it is brilliant and such a big help to a lot of people, I hope it stays in some form or another.

Don't think the OP is BU to be annoyed at the person saying they're going to spend it in Zara though (especially since Zara is overpriced bobbins).

Doodleydoo · 18/05/2010 17:02

I saw a fb post about it being for their super over priced buggy (going towards it), with a rather well paid dh...........quite ick. If you are getting it you don't need to announce to the world what you are going to spend it on, and Zara ffs - all the baby clothes are mega small and very overpriced!

Gibbon · 18/05/2010 17:03

Quite right doodley!

Gibbon · 18/05/2010 17:05

Was saying quite right to only so much fruit btw

superv1xen · 18/05/2010 17:08

i had one, and the £500 one!

i saved it for when i had had the baby and ditched the preggy weight and went and bought a shitload of new clothes.

sorry. i know this might piss people off but its what i did.

biddysmama · 18/05/2010 17:08

i would go swimming but i'm afraid of being harpooned...

mummyinthevalley · 18/05/2010 17:19

just got mine, think it's ridiculous but not going to turn it down if gov't are happy to throw money at people!

Sure it will be done away with v.soon though.

Love to know how many £190s have been spent on cigarettes and alcohol!!!

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