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Original poster

2 child limit, why is nothing done about it? Do you agree?

399 replies

Hopeforchildren · 27/12/2019 17:28

Hey guys, so it has been a fee years since the 2 child limit on tax credits. I know a few families with 3 children and started this thread for them. It seems quite odd that nothing has been done about it while most families have more than 2 children and are on low income. I mean not just single parents and non working parents, it’s a common struggle for all this including full time working couples or lone parents. What are your views on this subject. Shouldn’t there be a stop to it since its unfair on the child and even the previous children that has to go without? Before anyone attacking, please bear in mind that some people don’t agree with abortion or feel strongly connected with the baby to terminate the pregnancy. Looking forward to hearing your views. Please stay kind.

OP posts:
zsazsajuju · 27/12/2019 17:31

A stop to what?

ChewChewIsMySpiritAnimal · 27/12/2019 17:34

I think 2 children is plenty.

doodleygirl · 27/12/2019 17:34

Have as many children as you want, the UK does not have a limit on children. However if you want to have more than 2 kids don’t expect the state to pay.

slipperywhensparticus · 27/12/2019 17:35

You can have as many as you like you just need to pay for them

popcorndiva · 27/12/2019 17:36

I think it was to encourage people to think about whether they could afford a 3rd DC before getting pregnant. So no it shouldn't be reversed.

MyDcAreMarvel · 27/12/2019 17:36

Of course the policy is awful and Labour would quite rightly have stopped it. Children don’t have less right to their basic needs being met due to their birth order.
Needing tax credits/UC can happen to anyone no matter how financially secure you think you are.

MarshaBradyo · 27/12/2019 17:37

It’s a good idea to limit it to two. I wouldn’t reverse it.

Weffiepops · 27/12/2019 17:37

2 should be enough in this age of an environmental crisis. The 2 child limit supports this. Of course if you can afford more and want more then feel free

MyDcAreMarvel · 27/12/2019 17:37

I think it was to encourage people to think about whether they could afford a 3rd DC before getting pregnant.
No it was brought in to appease Tory voters.

Fairylea · 27/12/2019 17:38

2 children is plenty. If people want to have more than that they should support them entirely on their own. Families who had larger families prior to the change shouldn’t have their money reduced but the 2 child limit is to discourage more new families from having more than 2 children.

MyDcAreMarvel · 27/12/2019 17:39

It’s a good idea to limit it to two.
Couldn’t agree more , child number three doesn’t need food , clothing, toys, birthday and Christmas presents Hmm

MarshaBradyo · 27/12/2019 17:42

Not everyone can afford three. Help with two is ok.

Fizzypoo · 27/12/2019 17:42

I think it's unfair to those DC who are already born and did not ask to be born into a poor family that needed tax credits to give them a semblance of quality life.

I also think it's unfair that someone has 3/4 children that were thought out and planned for, falls on hard times and the children have to suffer because of an anti austerity agenda.

I do think something had to be done about families popping out kids to avoid work though. It did happen. And that's not because I believe they are scum or annoyed at them getting money out of the system (the rich get far more out of it with their tax loopholes) but because a happy productive working life is good for peoples mental and physical health.

Missillusioned · 27/12/2019 17:42

Changing it won't be popular because most voters have fewer than 3 children, so won't care.
I do think it's unfair. I have 3 children. I'm not affected by the cap because they were born before it, but it would never have occurred to me when they were conceived within a stable marriage with a man I'd known for 10 years that their father would run off with OW. So no it wouldn't have stopped me planning a third. At the time I could afford it.

codenameduchess · 27/12/2019 17:42

It's not a limit as PPs have said, but anyone having children should be able to provide for them. Contraception is readily available.
Considering the environmental impact 2 children is more than enough regardless of financial situation.

AgeLikeWine · 27/12/2019 17:43

You can have as many children as you want. It’s a free country. Nobody is stoping you. Fill your boots.

Why, however, should I as a child free person be expected to subsidise your choices from my taxes? The taxpayer does not owe you or anyone else a living. Your children are your financial responsibility, not the government’s. The existing state subsidies for parents are more than high enough.

Teachermaths · 27/12/2019 17:44

No children need birthday and Christmas presents, they are wants.

The policy is designed to discourage having more than 2 children. Rightly so, that is plenty.

Gabrielknight · 27/12/2019 17:44

2 is plenty. If you want more you should make sure you can afford them.

lovelyupnorth · 27/12/2019 17:46

I’d go further and make it retrospective if you can’t afford them don’t have them. Simples.

Missillusioned · 27/12/2019 17:47

Thinking about single parents though, I believe the majority of single mothers have children who were planned within a marriage or stable cohabitation. They may well have been financially well able to find more than 3 children before relationship breakdown.
There are a lot more of those families than those who live on benefits from the start.

lovelyupnorth · 27/12/2019 17:51

In the case of single parents any working ex partners should have child maintenance deducted from salary / benefits and shouldn’t get child benefit / any benefits for additional children or second partners. Sick of people shirking their responsibilities.

IndecentFeminist · 27/12/2019 17:51

It isn't 'simples' though is it unlike those who say that, in my experience

It is the children you'd be punishing more than anyone else.

NobJobWinker · 27/12/2019 17:51

most families have more than 2 children and are on a low income

In my experience 2 children is the norm and only a minority have 3+

Anyone wanting a large family should balance their desire for extra DC against the financial impact on them and their existing DC

Mintjulia · 27/12/2019 17:52

I am one of six siblings. My father tried to persuade my mother to have baby no. 7 so he could give up work and “live on the family allowance”.

Thankfully she gave him short shrift but I support the limit of benefits to two children. It might stop men seeing their partners and families as a revenue stream.

tinytoast · 27/12/2019 17:52

@MyDCAreMarvel Why have a third child if you cant afford all the necessities that goes with it?

Double up on the free contraception that is given out in the UK or sub the child yourself.

Mad how people expect others to fund their lifestyles. I cannot believe people base their decision to have children on whether the government will pay them for it. No thought is given to what the parents can provide.